SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In the wake of recent tensions with Pakistan, marked by Pakistan’s deployment of HATF-1 and Fatah-1 and Fatah-2 guided rockets, India’s strategic defense apparatus has been under scrutiny. Notably, India did not employ its Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system during this conflict. However, according to sources cited by idrw.org, India is on the verge of operationalizing Phase-I of its BMD program, a critical step toward bolstering national security against Pakistan’s advancing missile capabilities, including the longer-range Shaheen missile series.
Phase-I of India’s BMD system is designed to provide a robust defense shield over the Delhi-NCR region and Mumbai, two of the country’s most vital economic and political hubs. The system is engineered to intercept and neutralize incoming ballistic missiles, with a particular focus on countering Pakistan’s Shaheen series, which boasts extended range and precision. The BMD’s missile interceptors are expected to be fully operational soon, marking a significant milestone in India’s defense modernization efforts.
The indigenous BMD program, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), consists of a two-tiered system: the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) for high-altitude interception and the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) for lower-altitude threats. Together, these systems create a layered defense capable of neutralizing ballistic missiles at various stages of their trajectory.
In a strategic expansion, Phase-I of the BMD program is now set to extend its protective cover to southern India. Major cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, and potentially Hyderabad are being considered for inclusion under the BMD umbrella. This move is driven by the growing strategic importance of these cities, particularly Hyderabad, which has emerged as a hub for defense and aerospace industries.
According to idrw.org, a single BMD site in a central state could provide coverage for Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad due to their relative proximity. This centralized approach optimizes resources while ensuring that these critical urban and industrial centers are safeguarded against missile threats. The inclusion of these cities underscores India’s commitment to protecting its economic and technological heartlands in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment.
This strategy would optimize radar coverage, interception range, and command integration, while also reducing deployment costs. Hyderabad’s inclusion, in particular, reflects its rising importance as a defense manufacturing hub, hosting facilities of DRDO, HAL, BEL, and private defense firms.
As Phase-I nears full operational readiness, Phase-II of the BMD program is also being developed. It is expected to counter intermediate-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles (IRBMs and ICBMs) with greater velocity and maneuverability. DRDO’s AD-1 and AD-2 interceptors, currently under trials, will significantly upgrade India’s missile interception envelope.
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