NEW DELHI: India’s missile defence system is set to get a big boost as it is developing capability to intercept enemy missiles fired from a distance of up to 5,000km, in effect tackling any possible threat from countries such as China.
The capability is being developed by DRDO as part of the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) shield, whose first phase is ready for deployment possibly in Delhi.
Development of the first phase of the BMD programme has been completed, DRDO chief Avinash Chander told PTI in an interview.
Under this, the BMD shield can tackle enemy missiles fired at from ranges up to 2,000km.
Taking this forward, the DRDO is enhancing the capability of BMD in phase-II to deal with threat from missiles of longer range of up to 5,000km.
“We are planning to soon carry out the first trial of the phase-II of the programme under which we will test our capability to destroy an incoming ballistic missile fired at us from 5,000km range,” said Chander, who took charge earlier this month.
Asked which city would be the first to be protected by the missile shield, he said, “The first choice for such a deployment would be the capital, Delhi, as it is the heart of the country.” (PTI)