India to conduct missile interceptor test

Chandipur (Orissa), Mar 14 (ANI): The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will on Sunday conduct a missile interceptor test off the Orissa coast as part of building a two-layered Ballistic Missile Defence shields.

An indigenously developed Advanced Air Defence missile (AAD) missile will engage and destroy an incoming target missile, a modified Prithvi in an endo-atmospheric interception at a low attitude of 15 kilometer.

The Prithvi will take off from the Launch Complex-3 at Integrated Test Range in Balasore district. Within minutes, the AAD will be fired from the Wheeler Island.

Today's test will be the fourth test being carried out by DRDO scientists.

Meanwhile, there are reports that at least 3,000 people from six nearby villages near the Defence base have been shifted to temporary camps.

Sunday's expected missile test follows Pakistan's decision to test fire naval missiles.

Pakistan on Friday reportedly test-fired a number of missiles and torpedoes, acquired from other countries, from ships and submarines in the Arabian Sea.

The tests included anti-surface missiles from an F-22P frigate, acquired recently from China, air-to-surface missiles from P-3C aircraft and sub surface-to-surface missiles from Agosta 90B submarines, which were bought from France, The Dawn reported.(ANI)