Global General

India to deploy anti-missile system in 2012

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-22 16:05

MUMBAI - India will start to deploy its anti-missile interception system in 2012 to neutralize the incoming ballistic missiles, Indian media reported on Monday.

India's anti-missile system will be deployed in two stages. In the first stage, the anti-missile system could be used to intercept the incoming ballistic missiles within the range of 2,000 km, while the second stage's missiles could intercept the ballistic missiles of more than 2,000 km, the Indian newspaper the Hindu quoted V.K.Saraswat, Director-General of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of India, as saying.

Saraswat said there will be two layers of interceptions by the anti-missile system. The upper layer of interception will be carried out over 50 km from the ground by Indian Prithvi Air Defense missile, and the lower interception will be conducted at the height of 30 km above the earth by the Advanced Air Defense system.

DRDO's scientists are also developing a new type of hypersonic intercepting missile with the speed of 6 Mach to improve the intercepting speed, according to Saraswat.

However, India's anti-missile system could only provide the point protection for some important targets, failing to cover all important targets throughout the country, a military analyst said.

More anti-missile tests will be conducted within two years, to ensure the reliability and suitability for deploying, said Saraswat.