AD-1, AD-2 and India's THAAD: What the Latest DRDO Tests Reveal

AD-2 Interceptor Test. Note the minimal use of aerodynamic surfaces on the exoatmospheric interceptor : PIB Photo

 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.

AD-1 Interceptor test from November 2022 : PIB Photo

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.

AD-1 Test in June 2026 : PIB Photo

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.

Copyright © Vijainder K Thakur. First published on Thumkar.

The Next India-Pakistan Conflict Will Be Won by Drone Killers

 

The ability to defeat drones is increasingly proving to be more important than the ability to field them. That is perhaps the most important lesson emerging from the wars in Ukraine and Iran—a lesson Indian military planners need to factor into preparations for the inevitable next conflict across our western border.

According to General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, most Russian Shahed drones and other aerial attack systems neutralized by Ukrainian forces are now being brought down by interceptor drones.

Not helicopter gunships, armed light trainers, directed-energy weapons (DEWs), low-cost air-defence missiles, or specialised anti-aircraft guns firing programmable airburst ammunition. No—just interceptor drones.

Operationally effective interceptor drones have been around for more than a year. It is time DRDO took note of them.

Interceptor drones are optimised for low cost and typically destroy their targets by ramming them. Some variants employ a small warhead to increase the probability of a successful interception.

Currently, the three most prominent interceptor drones operating in Ukraine are:

* Sting (Ukraine) * Merops AS-3 Surveyor (United States) * Yolka (Russia)

In the following sections, we examine their features, capabilities, and key differentiators.

FPV Interceptor Drones

Interceptor drones were initially FPV (First-Person View) drones that relied on real-time radio control and live video feeds.

Using RF sensors, it is possible to detect the communication link between a drone and its operator, allowing triangulation and pinpointing of the operator's location. The control link can also be jammed or spoofed using electronic warfare (EW) systems.

FPV drone operators face significant danger because they must remain relatively close to the front line to maintain a strong signal. This exposes them to artillery fire, snipers, counter-drone attacks, and detection through radio-frequency triangulation.

Russian forces exploit this vulnerability by pairing Geran-2 drones. If an FPV interceptor is launched against one Geran-2, the second drone can use onboard sensors to locate the operator and attack immediately.

Ukraine's Sting Interceptor Drone

The most successful Ukrainian-developed interceptor drone currently in service is the Sting. The low-cost drone (approximately $2,000–2,100) uses a quadcopter architecture and features a 3D-printed aerodynamic airframe shaped like a bullet.

The Sting is capable of speeds of approximately 280–343 km/h. It is designed primarily as a kinetic interceptor, with the operator steering it directly into the target. Guidance is provided through day and thermal cameras, with possible sensor fusion from radar systems.

Ukraine began employing the Sting in combat during the spring of 2025, with widespread deployment by June 2025. The first publicly documented success occurred in April 2025 when footage of a Sting downing a Shahed-type drone went viral.

Sting Interceptor Drone Photo: The Telegraph

Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the Sting is its ability to be operated remotely from hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away.

Like other FPV drones, the Sting maintains a line-of-sight link to a forward control station. However, this forward station functions primarily as a relay node, connecting the drone to its pilot via Starlink's low-latency internet network. As a result, the pilot can be located virtually anywhere in the world.

Ukrainian operators typically control the drone from hardened shelters. The architecture also allows Sting drones to be launched from unmanned surface vessels (USVs).

Autonomous Interceptor Drones

The next generation of interceptor drones is being designed to operate autonomously using AI-powered machine vision, both during the day and at night.

These drones can independently detect, track, and engage targets without continuous human involvement. As a result, they do not require a vulnerable control channel that can be jammed or spoofed.

In effect, they are launch-and-scoot weapons that remove the operator from the battlefield and significantly reduce operational risk.

Russian Yolka Drone

Russian forces began operational deployment of the autonomous Yolka interceptor drone in early 2026.

The Yolka can be hand-launched, enabling widespread and highly distributed deployment. Once launched in the direction of a target, it operates autonomously.

Weighing approximately 1.3 kg, the Yolka is also based on a quadcopter architecture similar to the Sting. It can reach speeds of 200–250 km/h and operate at altitudes of up to 2 km.

Yolka vs Sting

The Yolka is significantly lighter and cheaper than the Sting, with an estimated cost of roughly $500 compared to the Sting's $2,000-plus price tag.

However, these savings come with trade-offs. The Yolka's range is limited to approximately 2.5–4 km, compared with the Sting's estimated 25–37 km range. It is also slower than its Ukrainian counterpart.

Merops AS-3 Surveyor

In addition to the Sting, Ukrainian forces are employing the American-made Merops AS-3 Surveyor, a sophisticated but significantly more expensive interceptor system.

Unlike the Sting and Yolka, the AS-3 requires catapult launch, reducing deployment flexibility. However, its conventional fixed-wing airframe enables much higher aerodynamic efficiency and speed.

The truck-portable counter-drone system consists of:

* Radar and electro-optical sensors for target detection and tracking * A command-and-control station * Pneumatic or mobile launch platforms * A fleet of Surveyor interceptor drones

The AS-3 derives its effectiveness from a combination of AI-enabled autonomy, high speed, and resistance to jamming.

After launch, the drone is initially guided using the sensors of the Merops system. During the terminal phase, it relies on onboard infrared and RF sensors combined with AI-powered machine vision.

The drone can continue homing in on its target even when satellite navigation and communication signals are jammed.

AI-powered machine vision, combined with the fusion of infrared and RF sensor inputs, is central to the Surveyor's effectiveness.

With a maximum speed of approximately 280 km/h, the AS-3 is capable of overtaking Russian Geran drones.

The current unit cost is estimated at around $15,000, although this is expected to fall below $10,000 as production scales.

Quadcopter vs Fixed-Wing Interceptors

The Sting and Yolka are quadcopter drones. They are simpler and cheaper to manufacture but are aerodynamically less efficient because they lack wings to generate lift and glide efficiently through the air.

Consequently, quadcopters are not optimised for sustained high-speed flight.

To intercept faster fixed-wing drones, quadcopter interceptors often position themselves above the incoming target. At the appropriate moment, they dive, converting altitude into speed and enabling a successful interception.

Future Developments

Interceptor-drone development is currently focused on increasing speed through the adoption of fixed-wing designs such as the AS-3 Surveyor.

Reusability is another area receiving considerable attention.

Fixed-wing drones can achieve higher speeds in level flight and generally manoeuvre more efficiently during the terminal interception phase.

Russian forces have already begun mass deployment of fixed-wing interceptor drones, including a dedicated air-defence variant of the Molniya family known as the Molniya-PVO. The drone is reported to be capable of speeds between 220 and 330 km/h.

Like the Yolka, the Molniya can be hand-launched. Alternatively, it can be launched using a lightweight catapult.

Conclusion

Ukraine seized an early lead in interceptor-drone technology with the Sting. Russia has largely closed the gap with the rapidly evolving Yolka and is now introducing fixed-wing interceptors such as the Molniya-PVO.

One important point stands out. Starlink has given Ukrainian forces a low-latency communications advantage that Russia is unlikely to match for several years.

There is another lesson for Indian defence planners. Rapid advances in drone autonomy are being driven by access to high-performance AI semiconductors and resilient communications networks.

India remains a long way from sovereign access to either low-latency broadband networks comparable to Starlink or the cutting-edge AI chips needed to support the next generation of autonomous combat systems.

Copyright © Vijainder K Thakur. First published on Thumkar.