SOURCE: AFI
India possesses the capability to intercept and destroy nuclear or conventional warheads at high altitudes, according to Vijay Kumar Saraswat, the renowned missile scientist and former Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Saraswat highlighted the robustness of India’s missile defense systems, emphasizing their ability to neutralize threats before they can cause significant damage.
“When a missile is launched, we can’t determine whether it is carrying a nuclear warhead or a conventional warhead. If it is carrying a nuclear warhead, we can intercept it at a high altitude. So, once it is destroyed at high altitude, its nuclear effect also becomes negligible,” Saraswat explained. He further elaborated that even in the event of a failure to intercept at high altitude, India has an endo-atmospheric interceptor capable of neutralizing the missile at 15 to 20 km altitude, where the nuclear impact would be minimal.
Saraswat underscored that an untriggered nuclear bomb poses limited harm, likening it to a chemical that burns with low radiation. “India can destroy it before any trigger takes place or before the fusion reaction takes place,” he stated, emphasizing the precision and effectiveness of India’s defense mechanisms.
This statement carries significant weight in light of regional security dynamics, particularly Pakistan’s repeated references to its nuclear capabilities. India’s confidence in its missile defense was notably demonstrated during Operation Sindoor, where it effectively challenged Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence.
India’s missile defense system, developed by DRDO, includes advanced interceptors like the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) for high-altitude threats and the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) for lower-altitude interceptions. These systems form a multi-layered shield, ensuring robust protection against ballistic missile threats, whether nuclear or conventional.
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