The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful test launch of the interceptor missile. DRDO’s air defence missile AAD-05 successfully hit the ballistic missile and destroyed it at a height of 15 kms off the coast of Orissa near the Wheelers Island.

A modified Prithvi missile mimicking the ballistic missile was launched from ITR Chandipur. Radars located at different locations tracked the incoming ballistic missile.

The onboard radio frequency seeker identified the target missile, guided the AAD-05 interceptor missile close to the target missile, hit the target missile directly and destroyed it. Warhead also exploded and destroyed the target missile into pieces. India is the fifth nation to have these ballistic missile defence capabilities in the world.