Among the achievements, that Indians are able to accomplish even with the paucity of resources at the disposal of those engaged in development programmes, is the indigenous missiles system development programme. Where on the one hand foreign countries are coming to the Indian space research orgnisation ISRO for launching of satellites, the DRDO or Defence Research Development Organisation is taking great strides in contributing to the country’s defence systems.
In simple words, India now has the capability to intercept incoming ballistic missiles aimed at us. Considering the fact that both our inimical neighbours – China and Pakistan have nuclear tipped ballistic missiles, this creates a vital defence shield for India.
The Prithvi Defence Vehicle is a supersonic device that can engage targets (created for the purposes of the test to mimic hostile incoming ballistic missiles) 50 km above the earth's atmosphere. This was the first phase; recently the second test took place.
The missile was test fired on 11 February to test its ability in the exo atmosphere at an altitude of 97 km above the earth's surface, the second phase of the testing took place on 1 March to test it’s capability at lower altitudes of 15 km.
Fired off, Abdul Kalam Island (earlier Wheeler Island) on the Odisha coast, at the integrated test range at Chandipur, the tests were able to intercept the targets set and mission objectives were successfully met. In both the endo and the exo atmosphere, the interceptors were able to track, engage and successfully neutralise incoming aggressions.
Some ten tests have been carried out so far and at least three were unsuccessful. Actual deployment of the Ballistic Missile Defence system for the protection of an Indian city or strategic installation is still a couple of years away.
As of now, only the United States, China, Russia and Israel have BDM systems that are operational. The real challenge will now be to test the Prithvi Ballistic Missile Defence system in the integrated mode, with both the exo and endo interceptor modes being bested together.
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