Overview
- Defence Research and Development Organisation carried out three consecutive flight tests on June 10 and 11 that validated a multi‑layer ballistic missile defence architecture with interceptors engaging their designated targets.
- Officials and DRDO statements say the tests included exo‑atmospheric and endo‑atmospheric intercepts and involved two interceptor types reported by sources as tailored to counter missiles in the 2,000–5,000 km range.
- DRDO also completed the maiden flight of the Naval Anti‑Ship Missile–Medium Range (NASM‑MR), which sources describe as a sea‑skimming, high‑subsonic weapon with a reported range near 300–350 km for medium‑range maritime strike.
- Senior DRDO and armed forces officials monitored the trials, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh publicly congratulated the teams, and officials say the tested interceptors will move toward user trials and production scaling.
- The tests complete Phase II development milestones for India’s two‑decade BMD programme and set Phase III priorities to develop interceptors and sensors to counter hypersonic glide vehicles and MIRV threats.