India today successfully carried out an interceptor missile test, validating the reliability of its two layered Ballistic Missile Defence. The indigenously developed supersonic interceptor missile is capable of destroying any incoming enemy ballistic missile at low 
altitude.
The interceptor was engaged against a target which was a Prithvi missile launched at about 10.10 hours from launch complex III of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Balasore taking up the trajectory of a hostile ballistic missile. After about five minutes at 10.15 hrs, the interceptor, Advanced Air Defence missile ranges of 15-30 kms positioned at Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast getting signals from tracking radars, roared through its trajectory to destroy the incoming hostile missile in mid-air.
Scientists of DRDO and officials of the Strategic Forces Command witnessing the event said the mission was excellent and it was a direct hit.
The interceptor is a 7.5-meter long single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile equipped with a navigation system, a hi-tech computer and an electro-mechanical activator, the official said. Quoting defence sources, our correspondent reports that with this effective anti-ballistic missile system, India is the fourth country in the world to have a ballistic missile defence programme.
Other countries which have developed a ballistic missile defence system include the US, Russia and Israel. It is critical to protect the country from the long range ballistic missiles proliferating in the neighbourhood. DRDO expects to have shield ready for deployment by 2022. On February 11 last, the defence research wing had carried out a test of Prithvi Defence Vehicle interceptor missile, capable of killing incoming missiles at an altitude of more than 100 kilometre at exo-atmospheric zone from the same test range.