DRDO has conducted a unique missile test today from Abdul Kalam Island in Balasore district. The Prithvi-2 nuclear ballistic missile was first launched from launch pad three. This was followed by the launch of the AD-1 interceptor missile. For this very test, the district administration of Balasore had temporarily relocated 10,581 people from ten villages.
First, let's understand what an interceptor missile is.
The AD-1 is a sea-based endo-atmospheric BMD interceptor missile. This missile can destroy ballistic missiles from Pakistan or China near the atmosphere. Essentially, India's military can neutralize any incoming missile aimed at the country in mid-air. There are two variants of this missile: AD-1 and AD-2.
Source: aajtak
Enemy missiles won’t reach our nation
Both missiles can intercept the enemy's IRBM missiles, meaning they can destroy missiles with a range of up to 5000 km. These missiles are comparable to the U.S.'s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. These missiles travel at a speed of 5367 km/hr.
Neutralizing enemy missiles 3000 KM away
These missiles can fire upon detecting an incoming enemy missile and neutralize them 1000 to 3000 km away from our territory. They are specially designed to destroy IRBM missiles. IRBM missiles typically have a range of 3 to 5 thousand kilometers. If China launches a missile from such a distance, the Indian Army or Navy will destroy it mid-path.
Long-range interceptor missiles will make our enemies tremble
AD-2 is a long-range interceptor missile designed for interceding long-range ballistic missiles as well as aircraft for low exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception. It is a two-stage solid motor missile equipped with an advanced control system, navigation, and guidance algorithms developed indigenously for precise guidance towards the target.
Now let's learn about the Prithvi-2 missile...
The Prithvi-2 missile has a range of 350 km. It can carry conventional or nuclear warheads weighing between 500 and 1000 kg. This missile is capable of deceiving the enemy's anti-ballistic missile technology. It is the smallest and lightest of all Indian missiles, weighing 4600 kg and is approximately 8.56 meters long.
Source: aajtak
It can be equipped with various types of warheads such as high explosive, penetration, cluster munition, fragmentation, thermobaric, chemical weapon, and tactical nuclear weapon. The Prithvi-2 missile operates on a strap-down inertial navigation system. An 8x8 Tata Transporter Erector Launcher assists in its launch.
Initially, the Prithvi-2 missile was named SS-250 and was developed for the Indian Air Force. Meanwhile, Prithvi-1 was developed for the Army and Prithvi-3 for the Navy. Based on this missile system, DRDO scientists conceptualized the Pralay Missile and Prithvi Air Defense (PAD) or Pradyumna Ballistic Missile Interceptor, capable of destroying enemy missiles outside the atmosphere at a speed of 6174 km/hr.
