The AD-1 interceptor missile can be used against long-range ballistic missiles as well as aircraft

India's Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful maiden flight-test of Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) interceptor AD-1 missile on Wednesday.

The missile with large kill altitude bracket was flight-tested from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, said the Ministry of Defence.

The flight-test was carried out with participation of all BMD weapon system elements located at different geographical locations.

According to information provided by the Ministry of Defence, the AD-1 is a long-range interceptor missile designed for both low exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception of long-range ballistic missiles as well as aircraft. It is propelled by a two-stage solid motor and equipped with indigenously-developed advanced control system, navigation and guidance algorithm to precisely guide the vehicle to the target.

During the flight-test, all the sub-systems performed as per expectations and were validated by the data captured by a number of range sensors including Radar, Telemetry and Electro Optical Tracking stations deployed to capture the flight data.

Congratulating DRDO and other teams associated with successful flight trial of AD-1, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed it as a unique type of interceptor with advanced technologies available with a very few nations in the world. He exuded confidence that it will further strengthen the country’s BMD capability to the next level.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Samir V Kamat congratulated his team on the successful trial, stating that this interceptor will provide great operational flexibility to the users and having capability to engage many different types of targets.