As part of the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) shield being developed by DRDO, India’s missile defence system is set to get a big boost with the capability to intercept enemy missiles fired from a distance of up to 5,000 km. Phase-I of the system under which the BMD shield can tackle enemy missiles fired from ranges up to 2,000 km is ready for deployment. Phase-II will entail enhancing the capability of BMD to deal with threats from missiles of longer range of up to 5,000 km.
Under Phase II of the programme, all the components of such a missile shield including the radar and interceptor missiles would be new and will have extended ranges. The DRDO is planning to have a new missile testing range in the Andamans for carrying out the test-firing of systems such as the long-range BMD. However, this will need various clearances, especially from the Environment Ministry, which earlier had not approved the setting up of a radar on the Island territory to save a rare species of bird there.