India successfully test-fires air defence missile

India today successfully test-fired the indigenously developed interceptor (advanced air defence) missile, for the fourth consecutive time, destroying a `hostile' ballistic missile fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast.

The single-stage interceptor (AAD) missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), hit the target ballistic missile fired from Launch Complex - III at ITR, Chandipur, at an altitude of about 15 km off the Orissa coast.

The interceptor missile, fitted with directional warhead and other advanced systems, neutralised the target, breaking it into fragments.

This was tracked by various radars and sensors. All weapon systems, including command and control, communication and radar performed satisfactorily, an official release said.

The interceptor missile, positioned at Wheeler Island, about 70 km across the sea from Chandipur, tracked the `enemy' missile a few minutes after getting signals from radars and then intercepted it at a pre-determined altitude.

While the test seemed successful, the effectiveness, specifically the "kill" effects of the interceptor, will be known only after detailed analysis by multiple tracking sources, the release said.