Missile interception exercise next week

16 November 2012 DEBDAS KUNDU - dailypioneer.com

Hectic preparations for an interception exercise, Advance Air Defence (AAD), involving two ballistic missiles are underway at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.

The exercise is likely to be carried out by the ITR DRDO unit next week between November 19 and 22 in the endo-atmospheric region within an altitude of around 15 km, sources said. This would be the eighth interceptor missile test and the sixth endo-atmospheric, below 20 km of altitude. A modified Prithvi missile acting would take off from the ITR while the killer supersonic interceptor missile would blast off from the Wheeler Island, Dhamra and destroy it.

The exercise under the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) programme is being undertaken to protect India’s major installations from being targeted by hostile neighbours. Meanwhile the maiden launch of the sub-sonic cruise missile, Nirbhay, which was to be conducted  this month is delayed due to modifications brought in the launcher and likely to be carried out in next year January, said sources.