India’s journey toward developing a robust Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) System began in the aftermath of the Kargil War in 1999, as the conflict highlighted the need for advanced missile defense to counter evolving regional threats. The war underscored vulnerabilities to missile strikes, particularly from adversaries equipped with short and medium-range ballistic missiles. This realization prompted the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to embark on an ambitious program to build an indigenous BMD system.
Over the past two decades, the two-tier BMD system has been systematically developed to intercept and neutralize ballistic missiles at different altitudes:
Phase-I: Focused on intercepting short to medium-range missiles at both exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric levels using Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) and Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptors.
Phase-II: Targets more sophisticated threats, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and hypersonic weapons, with extended-range and advanced guidance systems.
The program has achieved several milestones, including successful flight tests of interceptors, deployment of long-range radars, and integration of command-and-control systems. These tests have validated the system’s precision, speed, and reliability under simulated combat conditions.
The BMD program aligns with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative, emphasizing domestic innovation and reducing dependency on foreign technology. It also strengthens India’s deterrence posture by safeguarding critical infrastructure and population centers against potential missile attacks.
With the recent advancements in Phase-II capabilities and growing international recognition, India is on the verge of operationalizing its BMD system. This achievement not only reflects technological progress but also reaffirms India’s commitment to national security and regional stability in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment.
