Missile interceptor successfully test-fired from Orissa defence base

Bhubaneswar: India yesterday successfully tested a ballistic missile interceptor from a defence base in Orissa as part of its endeavour to create a shield against incoming enemy missiles, an official said.

The indigenous interceptor "Ballistic Missile Defence System" was fired from Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast near Dhamra in Bhadrak district, about 170 kilometres from here at 9.37am.

It successfully destroyed an incoming ballistic missile — a variant of the Prithvi II — fired from the launch complex III of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur on sea in Balasore district, about 70 kilometre away from Wheeler Island across the sea.

The interceptor was fired five minutes after the target missile was fired.

S.P. Dash, director of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, said the test was tracked by various radars and sensors. All weapon system elements, including command and control, communication and radar, performed satisfactorily, he said.

"It was a fantastic mission. It successfully hit the target. The interceptor intercepted the ballistic missile and blasted it into pieces," Dash said.