India claims successful test of missile interceptor

Bhubaneswar: India Sunday carried out fresh trial of the indigenously developed missile interceptors in the creation of a ballistic missile to intercept and destroy incoming missiles.
The test was conducted with the Comprehensive range (ITR) at Chandipur and Wheeler Island on the coast Dhamara.
ITR sources said the interceptor missile, test fired from Wheeler Island in the Bay of Bengal at 0938 hours, hit the incoming target surface-to-ground, changing the domestic built "Prithvi", posing as an enemy missiles and which was launched from a mobile launcher from the ITR on Chandipur-on-Sea in 0935 hours.
Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor missile using radio-frequency seeker on board was launched from Wheeler Island about 70 miles by sea from Chandipur.
Missiles, the sources said, and destroyed target missile in the air over the Bay of Bengal. Interception took place at low altitude, the sources said.
Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defence VK Saraswat and senior officials of Defence Research and Development (DRDO) and the ITR witnessed the test.
Seven-foot ADD interceptor is a single-stage solid rocket-propelled guided missile, equipped with an inertial navigation system, Hi-Tech Computer and electro-mechanical actuator is completely under the command of data links to the difficult ground radars for interceptors, defense sources said.
Authorities RME by the district administration had been evacuated by residents along with their livestock within a radius of 2 km from the launch pad-3 complex Chandipur in the nearby camp housing as a security measure.
Sources said about 600 families, including a population of about 3000 of the five villages, living in the area prohibiting the complex ITRs were adequately compensate for the temporary displacement.
The test fire an interceptor missile on March 15 last year was unsuccessful, as the SBP managed to lift and aim the rocket deviated from the pre-agreed trajectory, but on July 26 reported the successful test.