New Delhi, June 13: India has achieved a significant advancement in its strategic defence capabilities after the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully conducted three missile flight tests within 24 hours, demonstrating critical technologies for ballistic missile defence and maritime warfare.
The tests, carried out on June 10 and 11, validated India’s multi-layered Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) architecture designed to counter long-range missile threats. According to DRDO, interceptor missiles successfully tracked, engaged and destroyed incoming ballistic missile targets, proving the effectiveness of systems developed to tackle emerging and advanced missile challenges.
Government sources said two interceptor missiles tested during the trials are capable of neutralizing hostile ballistic missiles with ranges between 2,000 and 5,000 kilometers. The systems include both exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interceptors, enabling engagements both outside and within the Earth’s atmosphere. Following the successful trials, the interceptor missiles are expected to move toward user evaluation by the armed forces.
Officials indicated that strengthening ballistic missile defence has become a strategic priority as Pakistan continues to expand its missile arsenal, including systems such as Fateh-I, Fateh-II and the Chinese-origin P282 missile. Concerns over the development of missiles equipped with multiple warheads have further underscored the need for advanced interception capabilities.
DRDO stated that the successful demonstrations place India among a small group of nations possessing the technological capability to defend against sophisticated ballistic missile attacks, including potential threats from long-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
In a separate achievement, DRDO also successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range (NASM-MR). The trial demonstrated the missile’s ability to engage hostile naval targets at medium ranges, strengthening India’s maritime strike and sea-denial capabilities.
The missions were closely monitored by senior DRDO officials and representatives of the Indian Armed Forces. DRDO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, Rajesh Kumar Singh praised scientists, military personnel and industry partners for executing multiple complex missions successfully within a short timeframe.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO team on the achievement, stating that the successful tests would significantly enhance India’s defence preparedness and improve its ability to respond to a broad spectrum of aerial and maritime threats.
The latest breakthroughs are being viewed as a major step in strengthening India’s deterrence capabilities and advancing self-reliance in critical defence technologies amid evolving regional security challenges.
