SYLLABUS

GS-3:Indigenization of Technology and Developing New Technology; Security Challenges.  

Context: India recently demonstrated its advanced Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capability through a series of successful interceptor tests, marking the completion of Phase-II of the indigenous BMD programme.

More on the News

• DRDO successfully conducted three consecutive flight tests recently, demonstrating India's multi-layered BMD capability against different classes of ballistic missile threats.
• The tests validated both exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception capabilities and showcased the effectiveness of the AD-1 and AD-2 interceptor systems developed under Phase-II.
• The demonstrations included interception scenarios involving long-range ballistic missiles, medium-range ballistic missiles, and anti-ship ballistic missile-type threats.
• With the successful completion of Phase-II, India joins a select group of countries possessing advanced multi-layered ballistic missile defence capabilities.

Understanding India's Ballistic Missile Defence Programme

• Evolution of India's BMD Programme
  • The BMD programme was initiated by DRDO in 1999, following the Kargil conflict and in response to the growing ballistic missile capabilities in India's neighbourhood.
  • Over the years, the programme has evolved from defending against short- and medium-range ballistic missiles to addressing longer-range and more sophisticated missile threats.
• Two-Tier Defence Architecture: India's BMD system is operationally based on a two-tier interception architecture.
  • Exo-atmospheric Interception: Interception of incoming ballistic missiles outside the Earth's atmosphere during the mid-course phase of flight.
  • Endo-atmospheric Interception: Interception within the Earth's atmosphere during the terminal phase, providing an additional layer of defence if the outer layer fails.
• Three-Phase Development Roadmap

• Phase-I
  • Designed to counter ballistic missiles with ranges of up to approximately 2,000 km.
  • Key interceptor systems include:
    • PAD/PDV (Prithvi Air Defence/Prithvi Defence Vehicle) for exo-atmospheric interception.
    • AAD (Advanced Air Defence) for endo-atmospheric interception.

• Phase-II
  • Designed to counter longer-range and more advanced ballistic missile threats, including threats in the Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) and ICBM-class categories.
  • Built around the AD-1 and AD-2 interceptor systems. AD-1 is intended for interception of long-range ballistic missile threats, while AD-2 is designed for higher-end ballistic missile threats, including missiles in the ICBM class.
  • The recent successful demonstrations mark the completion of this phase.

• Emerging Phase-III
  • DRDO is developing next-generation interceptor systems such as AD-AH (Anti-Hypersonic) and AD-AM (Anti-Missile) to counter hypersonic and other advanced missile threats.
  • These systems remain under development.

Significance of the BMD Programme

• Strengthening National Security: The BMD system provides a protective shield against ballistic missile attacks, enhancing the security of critical infrastructure, strategic assets and major population centres.
• Enhancing Nuclear Deterrence: By reducing the effectiveness of an adversary's missile strike, the system strengthens India's overall deterrence posture and strategic resilience.
• Countering Evolving Missile Threats: The programme improves India's capability to respond to increasingly sophisticated ballistic missile threats in its strategic neighbourhood.
• Advancing Technological Self-Reliance: Indigenous development of advanced interceptors, radars and command-and-control systems reflects significant progress towards defence self-reliance under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• Strengthening Strategic Autonomy: Indigenous BMD capabilities reduce dependence on foreign missile-defence technologies and enhance India's ability to independently secure its strategic interests.