By: DH News Service

Close on the heels of the success of the intermediate range ballistic missile Agni-III, defence scientists plan to carry out the second test of the indigenous missile defence system in another four months.

“The second test of the interceptor is being planned by August-September. But this time it will be an endo-atmospheric test, in which the interceptor will destroy the enemy missile in lower atmosphere,” said Dr M Natarajan, the scientific advisor to the defence minister and the director-general of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Most of the Asian nations as well as rich European countries do not have their own missile defence systems.

Actually, the test has been delayed by a couple of months as the project director, Dr V K Saraswat, had earlier claimed that the test would be conducted by March.

The missile, meant for low atmospheric use will have a different configuration as compared to the one tested at higher altitude. The control systems will be different.

The first test was carried out on November 27 last year off Orissa coast when the interceptor missile destroyed an oncoming Prithvi missile at an altitude of 40 km. But that was an exo-atmospheric test in which the missile with a kill vehicle engaged the target at an altitude of more than 40 km.

If the upcoming lower atmospheric test becomes a success, the Indian missile scientists will strive to make the indigenous system as good as the US Patriot-3 missile, which destroys the enemy missiles at 15 km altitude.

Currently, the Indian missile defence system is somewhat similar to the Israeli Arrow-2 interceptors, according to Dr Saraswat.

Interestingly, Israeli Green Pine radars were used in tracking the missile in its maiden flight.

DRDO says at least six tests of the anti-missile system spanning over the next three years, code named Project Advanced Device (PAD), are required before it is ready for induction. About 30-35 Indian industries are involved in making the anti-missile system.