SOURCE: AFI
Recent satellite imagery has revealed a new radar installation just north-east of Bangalore, India’s IT hub. This has sparked speculation that it could be the deployment site for the second phase of India’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) program.
The new facility is believed to be intended for housing interceptor missiles specifically designed to protect Bangalore and Hyderabad from ballistic missile attacks. While details remain classified, reports suggest the site may also serve a dual purpose. It could potentially function as a radar testing facility and a training ground for crews operating the existing BMD sites in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, which are responsible for safeguarding New Delhi and Mumbai in the first phase.
The dome-shaped structure is expected to house a very long-range variant of the Swordfish Radar, a system based on Israel’s GreenPine technology. This advanced radar boasts a range exceeding 1500 kilometers, allowing for early detection and tracking of potential missile threats.
The second phase of India’s BMD program aims to extend its protective shield to encompass other major cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata. This signifies a significant step towards a more robust national missile defense system.
However, it’s important to note that specific details regarding the new facility and its operational status remain undisclosed by Indian authorities.