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New Delhi: In a significant move, India on Wednesday successfully test-fired the maiden flight of the second stage ballistic missile defense ‘Interceptor’ missile from the Odisha coast.
The Defense Ministry said the AD-1 missile was test-fired with the participation of all Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) weapon systems located at various locations.
“The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on November 2 successfully test-fired the maiden flight of the second stage Ballistic Missile Defense Interceptor AD-1 missile from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha,” the ministry said.
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The ministry said the AD-1 is a long-range ‘interceptor’ missile designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles as well as aircraft. It is powered by a two-stage solid motor and is equipped with an indigenously developed advanced control system, navigation, and guidance ‘algorithm’ for precise guidance to the target.