India enters elite ballistic missile club after DRDO conducts three successful flight tests

India has demonstrated a multi-layered defence capability against long-range ballistic missiles and anti-ship threats after the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted three consecutive flight tests, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday.

According to the minister, the tests showcased the country's ability to intercept ballistic missile threats and demonstrated anti-ship defence capability at medium range.

"The interceptors successfully engaged their respective targets. The systems are designed and developed with the latest technologies to address the emerging missile threats," Singh said in a post on X.



He added that the tests had placed India among a select group of nations possessing advanced ballistic missile defence capabilities.

"These tests have put India in the elite group of nations having Ballistic Missile Defence Capabilities to engage Ballistic Missiles up to ICBMs. Anti-ship defence at medium range was demonstrated during the maiden flight test of Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range," the defence minister said.

The three consecutive flight tests conducted by DRDO demonstrated a multi-layered defence architecture against long-range ballistic missile threats, while also validating anti-ship defence capability at medium range through the maiden flight test of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range system.

The successful interception of targets during the tests highlighted the performance of systems developed with advanced technologies to counter emerging missile threats, according to the defence minister.