- NEW DELHI: India on Monday successfully tested an interceptor missile capable of destroying an incoming ballistic missile, after canceling a launch earlier this year due to technical glitches, an official said.
The test was carried out from a range in Chandipur in eastern Orissa state, a Defense Ministry official said.
The interceptor missile, developed by India’s state-run Defense Research and Development Organization, destroyed an incoming target missile at an altitude of 15 km in the Bay of Bengal, the official said.
This was the third successful test firing of the missile, following launches in 2006 and 2007. Another test in March 2009 went awry and a similar test scheduled for March of this year was called off at the last minute due to a technical snag.
“This test is significant as far as developing India’s indigenous capability to neutralize an incoming missile is concerned. But it would take several years before it is inducted into the military,” said Rahul Bedi, a South Asia analyst with London-based Jane’s Defense Weekly.
India’s current crop of missiles are mostly intended for confronting neighboring archrival Pakistan, but the Agni-II, with a range of up to 2,000 km, can put areas in southern China within striking distance.
India routinely test-fires missiles it is developing for military use, as does Pakistan. Both countries are usually informed ahead of time of the other’s tests in keeping with an agreement between the two nations.
