India successfully launches interceptor missile

India today successfully test-fired its interceptor missile off the coast of Bay of Bengal, marking  major milestone towards developing a Ballistic Missile Defence system.

The interceptor was launched from A P J Abdul Kalam Island (earlier known as Wheeler Island) at about 7:45am, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

This test flight is for engaging the targets in the region at an altitude above 50 km of earth's atmosphere", our New Delhi correspondent reports quoting a Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) official.

"Both, the interceptor and the two-stage target missile were successfully engaged," he said.

The target was a simulated hostile Ballistic Missile approaching from more than 2000km away was launched from a ship anchored in the Bay of Bengal.

In an automated operation, the radar-based detection and tracking system detected and tracked the enemy's ballistic missile.

The computer network with the help of data received from radars predicted the trajectory of the incoming Ballistic Missile.

The interceptor missile was kept ready, took-off once the computer system gave the necessary command for lift-off.

The Interceptor, guided by high accuracy Inertial Navigation System (INS) and supported by a Redundant Micro Navigation System, moved towards the estimated point of the interception.

All events were monitored in real-time by the Telemetry/Range Stations, at various other locations, according to the official.