Sleep in peace, we have a missile-proof roof

India set to develop long-range missile defence shield. Only the US, Russia and Israel have such capability

As the crisis escalates in neighbouring Pakistan, the threat of its strategic arsenal landing in the hands of fundamentalists seems all the more real. But, if all goes well with Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) planned long-range missile shield system, India can sleep in peace.

With the short-range version already tested successfully, the DRDO is aiming at developing shield against missiles with a range of 6,000-7,000 km.

"The phase II of the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system development will involve capabilities against longer range missiles. Intercepting longer range missiles with 6,000 to 7,000 kilometres too would be part of it," said Dr VK Saraswat, chief controller, Research and Development (R&D), DRDO.

Saraswat also told MiD DAY that the radar and other related equipment are being upgraded for the long-range missile defence system.

"The interceptor missiles move at a speed of more than seven kilometres per second. The present radars will have to be upgraded so that it could detect the incoming missiles," he said.

The DRDO is presently using radars, which can detect missiles moving at 4 to 4.5 Mach. The radars are suitable for detecting short-range missiles and have already proven its capabilities in the last three tests carried out by the DRDO.

On Saturday the defence research behemoth successfully demonstrated its capabilities off the coast of Orissa where a Dhanush ballistic missile fired from a sea carrier was intercepted by Prithvi Air Defence missile.

After the United States of America (USA), Russia and Israel, India is the only country to claim a credible missile defence programme. "The BMD will be ready by 2011 after a series of tests in various environments to prove its mechanism," said Dr Saraswat.

The tests involved firing one missile to intercept a hostile weapon but in a war a salvo of interceptors could be fired to engage the weapon. "Of course a war like situation will see a salvo fired against a hostile missile. The numbers can't be disclosed as it's a matter of national security," he said.

Defence experts also suggested that apart from the very real threat from Pakistan, the long-range missile shield defence system would help in neutralizing the threat from China. Beijing has the capability to hit targets deep inside India.

"We need some kind of deterrent against China's capability and a missile shield against longer range missiles suits the bill. We also should aim to develop our own long-range missiles," said a senior Defence Ministry official, requesting anonymity.