The DRDO conducted three consecutive flight tests of its BMD Phase 2 interceptors on June 10 and 11, 2026.
The PIB release announcing the tests stated that all three were successful.
Photographs released by the Ministry of Defence indicate that both the AD-1 and AD-2 BMD Phase 2 interceptors were tested.
BMD Phase 2 InterceptorsThe DRDO conducted three consecutive flight tests of its BMD Phase 2 interceptors on June 10 and 11, 2026.
The PIB release announcing the tests stated that all three were successful.
Photographs released by the Ministry of Defence indicate that both the AD-1 and AD-2 BMD Phase 2 interceptors were tested.
BMD Phase 2 Interceptors
BMD Phase 2 employs two interceptor missiles: AD-1 and AD-2.
The AD-1 is designed for both endo-atmospheric and low exo-atmospheric interception of intermediate-range ballistic missiles, as well as aircraft. It is propelled by a two-stage solid-fuel motor and achieves hypersonic speeds of Mach 6–7. Guided by an indigenous Ka-band RF seeker, the missile features hit-to-kill capability.
The AD-2 is designed exclusively for exo-atmospheric interception. Like the AD-1, it is propelled by a two-stage solid-fuel motor to hypersonic speeds. The type of seeker employed is not known to the author. It too features hit-to-kill capability.
The AD-1, with its limited exo-atmospheric capability, is expected to engage medium-range ballistic missiles (1,000–3,000 km range) and aircraft. Higher-flying intermediate-range ballistic missiles would be handled by the AD-2.
Together, the AD-1 and AD-2 are intended to intercept ballistic missiles with ranges of up to 5,000 km.
Past AD-1 Test
DRDO successfully tested the AD-1 interceptor on November 2, 2022.
The PIB release announcing the test stated:
"During the flight test, all the sub-systems performed as per expectations and were validated by data captured by a number of range sensors, including radar, telemetry and electro-optical tracking stations deployed to capture the flight data."
Past AD-2 Test
The AD-2 interceptor was first successfully flight-tested on July 24, 2024. Subsequent tests have focused on validating its exo-atmospheric interception capability against longer-range ballistic missile threats.
Notably, the trial validated the complete network-centric warfare system consisting of long-range sensors, a low-latency communication network, and Advanced Interceptor missiles.
A low latency communication system is absolutely essential for long range missile interception.
BMD Phase 2 Explained
DRDO is developing India's BMD system in two phases under a capability based deployment plan. In the first phase, which has been completed, the DRDO developed a system for defence against missiles with less than 2,000 km range, like Pakistan's Ghauri and Shaheen missiles and China's solid-fuel Dongfeng-21 (NATO designation: CSS-5).
BMD Phase 2 is intended to defend against ballistic missiles with ranges exceeding 2,000 km, including missiles equipped with decoys and manoeuvrable re-entry vehicles.
Longer range missiles not only climb higher following a ballistic trajectory but also hurtle down on the target at much greater speeds than shorter range missiles. During their terminal phase, ICBM warheads can reach speeds twice those of intermediate range missiles.
The Phase 2 system will feature longer range radars (with a detection range of 1,500 km, compared to 600 km for Phase 1 radars), and hypersonic interceptor missiles flying at Mach 6-7 (as opposed to Mach 4-5 for Phase 1 missiles) with agility and the capability to discriminate against ballistic missile defence countermeasures.
The Phase 2 system is expected to offer capabilities broadly comparable to those of the US THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system. THAAD missiles can intercept ballistic missiles over 200 km away and track targets at ranges in excess of 1,000 km.
In addition to new interceptors, Phase 2 also required a new radar and test ranges.
Phase 2 Radar
DRDO is developing an Over-the-horizon (OTH) radar for Phase 2, based on the Swordfish radar acquired from Israel. Israel will provide some equipment and consultancy for the new radar, which would feature 80% indigenous components.
Test Range
India initially had two missile test ranges at Chandipur and Wheeler Island. These are suited for testing missiles with ranges up to 300 km. Missile launches require evacuation of nearby areas, and testing different trajectories/altitudes was difficult.
Phase 2 testing of the BMD system requires two ranges placed well apart along the missile trajectory. DRDO is developing two new missile ranges at Machilipatnam in Seemandhra and Rutland Island in the Andamans.
In October 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the establishment of a new missile testing range in Nagayalanka in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.
A total of 154.42 hectares has been proposed for the project, covering the test facility in above six hectares and technical facility, a few launch pads, control centre and state-of-the-art communication infrastructure in 130 hectares.
Floating Test Range
In support of BMD Phase 2 development, India has now also deployed a floating test range (FTR), a ship that features a launch pad, launch control centre, and mission control centre, along with advanced telemetry and tracking systems.
The FTR facilitates live tests (instead of simulations) for varying trajectories, different altitudes, and longer ranges (up to 1,000–1,500 km).
The vessel was specifically intended to support the development and testing of the BMD Phase 2 system.
The FTR (INS Anvesh) has a displacement of approximately 10,000–11,300 tonnes, is about 200 metres long, and was built by Cochin Shipyard Limited with DRDO design input. It was commissioned into the Indian Navy in March 2022.
INS Anvesh features 4 × Ship Launch Systems (SLS) — Vertical launch systems installed in the aft section. These rest flat when not in use and raise to a vertical (90°) position for firing.
On April 21, 2023, DRDO carried out the maiden flight trial of a sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile (AAD Ashwin interceptor of BMD Phase 1). The MoD described the test, carried out off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal, as the first sea-based BMD interceptor test by India.
INS Dhruv MRIS
In addition to INS Anvesh, India also has a missile-range instrumentation ship (MRIS), equipped to monitor trajectories of longer-range ballistic missiles. The 15,000 tonnes displacement ship built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) Visakhapatnam was handed over to the Indian Navy in September 2021.
The MRIS features an X-Band primary AESA radar and an S-Band secondary AESA radar.
The tracking radars can track the inbound flight trajectories of surface and submarine-launched ballistic missiles, including any manoeuvrable warheads released by the missiles.
In addition to long-range missile tracking, the ship can track satellites and conduct electronic intelligence (ELINT) missions.
Conclusion
DRDO first tested the AD-1 interceptor in November 2022. At that time, the AD-2 interceptor was still under development. The AD-2 was eventually tested in July 2024.
Both interceptors were tested in quick succession during the June 10–11 trials, suggesting that the system is maturing rapidly.
The commencement of user trials in the near future would be a significant milestone and a welcome development for Indian defence planners, particularly given the growing importance of ballistic missile defence demonstrated by recent conflicts in the Middle East.
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