DRDO demonstrates the nation’s next-gen defence capabilities

DRDO conducted three consecutive flight-tests on June 10–11, 2026, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha, to demonstrate a suite of next-...

What Happened

DRDO conducted three consecutive flight-tests on June 10–11, 2026, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha, to demonstrate a suite of next-generation defence capabilities against diverse threat categories.
Two separate BMD interceptor systems — AD-1 and AD-2 — were flight-tested, with both successfully engaging their designated target missiles, validating India's multi-layered BMD shield against long-range ballistic missile threats including ICBM-class targets.
The maiden flight-test of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Medium Range (NASM-MR) was conducted successfully, marking the first demonstration of this all-weather, multi-platform indigenously developed anti-ship weapon.
DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh closely monitored the trials and credited the combined efforts of DRDO scientists and industry partners under the Make in India framework for achieving the milestone.

Static Topic Bridges

AD-1 Interceptor (Endo-Atmospheric Layer)

The AD-1 is a two-stage, solid-fuel ballistic missile interceptor developed by DRDO as the endo-atmospheric component of India's Phase 2 BMD system. It is designed to engage ballistic missiles during their terminal phase — as they re-enter the atmosphere — at altitudes below the Kármán line (100 km). The AD-1 is capable of hypersonic speeds (Mach 6–7), giving it the agility to intercept fast-manoeuvring ballistic targets. It carries an indigenous kill vehicle with advanced navigation and guidance systems.

Engagement capability: Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBM) with range 1,000–3,000 km.
Two-stage solid-motor propulsion provides rapid acceleration and high terminal speed.
Successor to Phase 1's Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor, with significantly extended range and altitude envelope.
Indigenous navigation and guidance systems reduce dependency on imported components.

Connection to this news: The AD-1's successful engagement of its designated target during June 2026 trials confirms India's endo-atmospheric defence against MRBM-class threats — covering a range of adversary ballistic missiles of concern.

AD-2 Interceptor (Exo-Atmospheric Layer)

The AD-2 is the exo-atmospheric component of India's Phase 2 BMD system, designed to intercept Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs) and ICBMs during their mid-course phase in space — before re-entry into the atmosphere. Operating at altitudes above 100 km, the AD-2 enables early interception, preventing warhead dispersal and reducing the area requiring point defence. It is also designed to counter missiles carrying MIRV (Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicle) payloads.

Engagement capability: IRBM and ICBM-class targets with ranges 3,000–5,500 km and beyond.
Capable of Mach 6–7 hypersonic speeds to close on fast-moving exo-atmospheric targets.
India becomes one of very few nations (US, Russia, China, Israel) to validate exo-atmospheric kill capability.
Phase 3 (AD-AH and AD-AM, under development) will address hypersonic glide vehicles and advanced MIRV payloads.

Connection to this news: The AD-2's successful test marks the completion of Phase 2 BMD development, placing India in an elite strategic club — with an ability to intercept ICBM-class missiles comparable to China's DF-41, a key driver of the programme's design requirements.

Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur

The Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Balasore, Odisha is India's premier missile test facility, operated by DRDO. Established in 1989, it covers land and sea ranges along the Bay of Bengal coastline, enabling tests of surface-to-air, air-to-air, surface-to-surface, and anti-ship missiles. The range is equipped with sophisticated tracking systems including telemetry stations, electro-optical tracking systems (EOTS), high-speed cameras, and radar networks to capture missile flight data.

Location: Approximately 230 km north of Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on the Bay of Bengal coast.
Hosts test launches for Prithvi, Agni, Akash, PDV, AAD, AD-1, AD-2, and most DRDO missile programmes.
The sea range allows safe testing of long-range and exo-atmospheric systems without populated impact zones.
ITR's telemetry network captures flight trajectory, guidance performance, and target engagement data in real time.

Connection to this news: All three flight-tests on June 10–11, 2026 were conducted from ITR Chandipur, which provided the necessary tracking and safety infrastructure for simultaneous BMD and anti-ship missile demonstrations.

Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Medium Range (NASM-MR)

NASM-MR is an all-weather, indigenously developed anti-ship cruise missile system designed to be launched from multiple platforms — fixed-wing aircraft (~290 km range), surface warships (~350 km range), and submarines (~100+ km range). Developed primarily by DRDO's Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam, NASM-MR employs sea-skimming low-altitude flight to evade radar detection, active radar homing for terminal guidance, and a precision-fused warhead. It bridges the gap between short-range anti-ship missiles and the long-range BrahMos.

Maiden flight-test: June 11, 2026 — demonstrated low-altitude sea-skimming flight, navigation accuracy, and terminal target engagement.
Multi-platform design provides operational flexibility across surface, subsurface, and air launch domains.
Active radar seeker enables fire-and-forget capability with no platform dependency after launch.
Developed under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat framework to reduce reliance on imported anti-ship weapons like the Harpoon (Boeing, USA).

Connection to this news: NASM-MR's maiden success, alongside the BMD tests, signals a deliberate DRDO strategy of demonstrating both defensive (missile shield) and offensive (maritime strike) capabilities in a single test window.

Key Facts & Data

Three consecutive flight-tests conducted: June 10–11, 2026, ITR Chandipur, Odisha.
AD-1 (endo-atmospheric): engages MRBM-class targets, range 1,000–3,000 km; speed Mach 6–7.
AD-2 (exo-atmospheric): engages IRBM/ICBM-class targets, range 3,000–5,500 km+; operates above Kármán line (100 km altitude).
NASM-MR range: ~290 km (air-launched), ~350 km (ship-launched), ~100 km (submarine-launched).
NASM-MR employs sea-skimming trajectory and active radar homing for target engagement.
India joins US, Russia, China, and Israel as nations with validated ICBM-class intercept capability.
Phase 3 BMD interceptors (AD-AH, AD-AM) will target hypersonic glide vehicles and MIRV warheads.
DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh and industry partners credited for collaborative development under Make in India.