DRDO demonstrates multi-layered missile defence and tests a new naval anti-ship missile

Three flight tests on 10-11 June proved India's multi-tier Ballistic Missile Defence — capable of engaging up to ICBM-class threats — alongside the maiden flight of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile (Medium Range).

What happened

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated multiple crucial technologies, conducting three consecutive flight tests on 10-11 June 2026 to prove multi-layered defence against long-range ballistic missiles and a medium-range anti-ship capability.
• The multi-layered Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capability was successfully demonstrated — the interceptors engaged their respective targets, using technologies designed for emerging missile threats.
• These tests have placed the country in the elite group of nations having BMD capability to engage up to Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).
• DRDO also carried out the maiden flight test of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range (NASM-MR) — an indigenous anti-ship missile to strengthen the Navy's maritime strike capability.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, and the DRDO Chairman applauded the combined efforts of DRDO and industry in achieving the milestones.

For Prelims

• Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD): A system to detect, track and intercept incoming ballistic missiles. India's two-tiered indigenous BMD has the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) / Pradyumna for high-altitude (exo-atmospheric) and Advanced Air Defence (AAD) for lower-altitude (endo-atmospheric) interception (Phase-I); the AD-1/AD-2 interceptors (Phase-II) extend this to longer ranges.
• Exo- vs endo-atmospheric: 'Exo' interception is above the atmosphere (mid-course), 'endo' is within it (terminal phase). A 'multi-layered' BMD uses both for higher kill probability — the capability demonstrated here.
• ICBM: Intercontinental Ballistic Missile — range above ~5,500 km. Engaging ICBM-class threats puts India among a small club (the US, Russia, Israel and China have notable BMD capability).
• NASM-MR: The Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range — an indigenous, over-the-horizon anti-ship missile for the Indian Navy, complementing the shorter-range NASM-SR; part of defence indigenisation.
• DRDO: The R&D wing of the Ministry of Defence (under the Department of Defence R&D), responsible for indigenous military technology — missiles (Agni, Prithvi, BrahMos with Russia), radars, etc.
• Anti-ship missile: A missile designed to strike warships; 'over-the-horizon' means it can hit targets beyond the launch platform's direct radar line of sight — a key maritime-strike capability.
• Don't confuse: BMD (defensive — shoots down incoming missiles) is distinct from offensive ballistic/cruise missiles (Agni/BrahMos). NASM-MR (anti-ship, offensive) is separate from the BMD interceptors (defensive).

For Mains

Syllabus: GS3.12 · GS3.20 · Linkage L2