India to have Ballistic Missile Defence system in place by 2010

Visakhapatnam: India will develop an indigenous ballistic missile defence (BMD) system by 2010, according to Dr VK Saraswat, chief controller (strategic systems), Defence and Research Development Organisation (DRDO).

The BMD system was currently being designed and would go on trial from 2009, he said.

The BMD would be capable of detecting, intercepting and destroying intermediate-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles launched from any country, he told reporters on the sidelines of the 95th Indian Science Congress that ended Monday.

"We are developing a robust anti-missile defence system that will have high-speed interceptions for engaging ballistic missiles in the 5,000-kilometre (3,000-mile) class and above," he said.

India had recently shown it was able to handle targets in the class up to 2,000-2,500 kilometres, he added.

The country would join Israel, Russia and the US in developing and possessing such technology once the system is rolled out, he said.

The defence system's tracking and fire control radars have been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation in collaboration with Israel and France, he added.

In this respect he also said that India planned to test-fire a missile capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 6,000 kilometres sometime early next year.

India has already successfully tested the Agni-III missile, with a range of 3,500 kilometres, last year.