Country will test missile shield next week: DRDO - The Times of India
BHUBANESWAR: In a boost to the defence sector, the country is all set to test its anti-ballistic missile defence system for long range (beyond 100 km) off Odisha coast for the first time next week. This will be followed by trial of cruise missile Nirbhay (whose maiden test had failed last year) and air-to-air missile Astra next month, Avinash Chander, scientific adviser to defence minister, said here on Saturday.
During an informal chat with mediapersons, Chander, who is also director general (DG), Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), said the indigenously-built unnamed missile interceptor will be tested from Wheeler Island. DRDO successfully tested interceptors at least six times earlier, but the range was between 20 and 30 km.
"It is a system to intercept enemy missiles with a range of 2,000 km. The missiles will get intercepted at range of more than 100 km away so that damage to our cities can be prevented," the DG said. Chander was here to address convocation of Siksha 'O' Anusandhan University.
Official sources said the DRDO will fire a missile, mimicking an enemy weapon, from a naval warship, while the interceptor missile will be launched from launching complex-IV. The interceptor will destroy the warhead of the 'enemy' missile midair. The entire process will be fully automated.
Chander said DRDO is also preparing to test Nirbhay, a sub-sonic cruise missile which flunked maiden test in March last year, early next month off Odisa coast. Nirbhay (which means fearless) is India's equivalent to America's Tomahawk and Pakistan's Babur. DRDO will also test-fire Astra, the beyond visual range air-to-air single stage and solid-fuelled missile, from an aircraft. The 3.8-metre Astra is the smallest DRDO-developed missile.
"Both are having unique capabilities. Astra will be tested for the first time from an Su-30 aircraft. These two tests will be carried out between Chandipur and Wheeler Island in next 15 to 20 days", Chander said. Sources said if Astra is successfully fired, India will break into elite group of nations, including the US, France, Russia and Israel, possessing such missiles. The missiles are capable of engaging ultra-modern supersonic fighter jets. Astra can carry a 15-kg high-explosive warhead.
