India Successfully Test-Fires Indigenously Developed Supersonic Interceptor Missile

India successfully test-fired its indigenously developed supersonic interceptor missile Sunday from a test range at Wheeler Island off the eastern Indian state of Odisha, according to local media reports. The missile is reportedly capable of destroying any incoming hostile ballistic missile.

"The test conducted to validate various parameters of the interceptor in flight mode has been successful," sources at the Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO) said, according to the Times of India, a local English newspaper.

The advanced version of low altitude supersonic ballistic interceptor missile was fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at a ballistic missile, a modified naval version of Prithvi missile launched from a ship anchored inside Bay of Bengal. A source reportedly said this was the 12th test conducted by India of the interceptor missile.

"The 'kill' effect of the interceptor was ascertained by analysing data from multiple tracking sources," a DRDO scientist reportedly said.

According to reports, the interceptor features a hi-tech computer and an electro-mechanical activator, and also has its own mobile launcher, secure data link for interception and independent tracking.