Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program
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The Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program is an initiative to develop and deploy a multi-layered Ballistic missile defense system to protect India from missile attacks.[1][2]
Introduced in light of the ballistic missile threat from Pakistan,[3] it is a two tiered system consisting of two interceptor missiles, namely Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) missile for high altitude interception, and the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) Missile for lower altitude interception.
PAD was tested in November 2006, followed by AAD in December 2007. With the test of the PAD missile, India became the fourth country to have successfully developed an Anti-ballistic missile system, after United States, Russia and Israel.[4]
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[edit] Background
Since the early 90s, India has faced the threat of ballistic missile attacks from Pakistan, against which it has fought multiple wars in the past. With the heightening of tensions in the region, and in response to Pakistan's deployment of M-11 missiles bought from China, in August 1995, the Indian Government procured six batteries of Russian S-300 Surface-to-air missiles to protect New Delhi and other cities. In May 1998, India for the second time (since its first test in 1974) tested nuclear weapons (see Pokhran-II), followed by Pakistan (see Chagai-I) with its first ever nuclear test. With Pakistan's testing of nuclear weapons and missile delivery systems, this threat intensified. India has also developed and tested missile delivery systems (see IGMDP).
In 1999, the Kargil War between India and Pakistan became the first direct conflict between two declared nuclear powers. As the war progressed, the first hint of the possible use of a nuclear weapons was on May 31, when Pakistani foreign secretary Shamshad Ahmad made a statement warning that an escalation of the limited conflict could lead Pakistan to use "any weapon" in its arsenal.[5] This was immediately interpreted as an obvious threat of a nuclear retaliation by Pakistan in the event of an extended war. The leader of Pakistan's senate noted that "the purpose of developing weapons becomes meaningless if they are not used when they are needed."[6] Some experts believe that following nuclear tests in 1998, Pakistani military was emboldened by its nuclear deterrent cover to markedly increase coercion against India.[7]
Development of ABM System began in late 1999,[8] suggesting that India initiated the program in light of Pakistans eschewing of a nuclear No first use policy and heightened tensions during the Kargil war including a possibility of full scale nuclear war.
[edit] India-Israel cooperation
India was interested in acquiring the Arrow-II Missile System, which had been jointly developed by US and Israel. However, the deal fell through due to US refusal to approve the sale of the missile and the Yellow Citron control system. India and Israel jointly developed the Long Range Tracking Radar (LRTR), which is target acquisition and fire control radar for PAD Missile System.
[edit] Development
Development of ABM System began in 1999. Around 40 public and private Companies were involved in the development of ABM System. They include Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Ltd, Astra Microwave, ASL, Larsen & Toubro, Vem Technologies Private Limited and KelTech. Development of LRTR (Long Range Tracking Radar) and MFCR (Multi-function Fire Control Radar) was lead by Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE).[9][10]
For the AAD Missile System, Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) developed the mission control software. Research Centre, Imarat (RCI) developed navigation, electromechanical actuation systems and Active Radar Seeker. Advanced System Laboratory (ASL) provided the motors, jet vanes and structures for the two missiles. High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) supplied the propellants for the missile.[10]
[edit] Description
| Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | Exo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile |
| Place of origin |  India |
| Service history | |
| In service | Under development |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | DRDO |
| Produced | 26 November 2006 |
| Specifications | |
| Detonation mechanism |
Proximity |
|
|
|
| Propellant | Liquid Propellant |
| Flight altitude | 80 km |
| Speed | Mach 5 |
| Guidance system |
Inertial Navigation System Ground-based mid-course correction Active Radar Homing (Terminal phase) |
| Launch platform |
8 x 8 Tatra TEL (Transporter erector launcher) |
The two-tiered BMD System consists of the PAD, which will intercept missiles at exo-atmospheric altitudes of 50-80 km; and AAD Missile for interception at endoatmospheric altitudes of up to 30 km. The deployed system would consist of many launch vehicles, Radars, launch control centers (LCC) and Mission Control Center. All these are geographically distributed and connected by a secure communication network.[8]
Mission control center (MCC) is the software intensive system of the Ballistic Missile Defense. It receives information from various sources like Radars, Satellites etc which is then processed by ten computers running simultaneously. MCC is connected to all other elements of the System through a WAN. MCC performs target classification, target assignment and kill assessment. It acts as a decision support system for the commander. It can also decide the number of interceptors required for the target for an assured kill probability.[8]
MCC after performing all the functions, assigns the target to Launch Control Center (LCC) of a battery. Launch Control Center (LCC) starts computing the time to launch interceptor based upon information received from Radar. This is decided based on the data received from radar, on the speed, altitude and flight path of the target. LCC prepares the missile for launch in real time, carries out ground guidance computation.[8]
After the interceptor is launched, it is provided target information from the radar through a datalink. When the Interceptors closes on to the Target ballistic missile, it activates the Active Radar Seeker to search for target missile and guides itself to intercept the target. Multiple PAD and AAD interceptors can be launched against a target for high kill probability.[8]
[edit] Prithvi Air Defence (PAD)
Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) is an anti-ballistic missile developed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles outside atmosphere (Exoatmosphere). Based on the Prithvi missile, PAD is a two stage missile with a maximum interception altitude of 80 km. The first stage is a liquid fuelled motor that uses two propellants and oxidizers while second stage is solid fuelled.[11].[8] It has divert thrusters which can generate a lateral acceleration at more than 5 Gs at 50 km altitude. Guidance is provided by intertial navigation system, mid-course updates from long range tracking radar (LRTR) and active radar homing in the terminal phase.[8] PAD has capability to engage 300 to 2,000 km class of ballistic missiles at a speed of Mach 5.[8]
Long Range Tracking Radar is the target acquisition and fire control Radar for PAD Missile. It is an active phased array radar having capability to track 200 targets at a range of 600 km.[8]
[edit] Prithvi Air Defense Exercise
PADE (Prithvi Air Defence Exercise) was conducted on November 2006 in which PAD Missile successfully intercepted a modified Prithvi-II Missile at an altitude of 50 km. Prithvi-II Ballistic Missile was modified to mimic the trajectory of M-9 and M-11 missiles.
[edit] Advanced Air Defence (AAD)
Advanced Air Defence (AAD) is an anti-ballistic missile designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles in endoatmosphere at an altitude of 30 km. AAD is single stage, solid fuelled missile. Guidance is similar to that of PAD: Inertial Navigation System, midcourse updates from ground based radar and active radar homing in terminal phase. It is 7.5 metres tall, weighs around 1.2 tonnes and a diameter of less than 0.5 metres.[12]
On 6 December 2007, AAD successfully intercepted a modified Prithvi-II missile acting as an incoming ballistic missile enemy target. The endo-atmospheric interception was carried out at an altitude of 15 km. The interceptor and all the elements performed in a copy book fashion validating the endo-atmospheric layer of BMD System. The launch was also shown through a video link at control room of DRDO Bhawan, Delhi.
| Advanced Air Defence (AAD) | |
|---|---|
 Advanced Air Defense (AAD) missile being launched during Electronic Target Trials on 2 December 2007 from Wheeler's Island Test Range in Orissa. |
|
| Type | Endoatmospheric Anti-ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | Under development |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | DRDO |
| Produced | 6 December 2007 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1,200 kg |
| Length | 7.5 m |
| Diameter | <0.5 m |
|
|
|
| Detonation mechanism |
Kinetic Kill (Hit-to-Kill) |
|
|
|
| Engine | Single Stage solid propellant engine[13] |
| Speed | Mach 4.5 |
| Guidance system |
Inertial Navigation System Mid-course update Active Radar Homing (Terminal phase) |
| Launch platform |
8 x 8 Tatra TEL (Transporter erector launcher) |
The sequence of events of the test was as follows. At 11 a.m. the Prithvi missile lifted off from Launch Complex III at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur Orissa. Radars at Konark, Paradip detected the missile and were continuously tracking it. The target information was sent to Mission Control Centre (MCC) for further processing. MCC classifies the target, calcuates the trajectory of the missile and assigns the target to AAD Battery located on Wheeler Island, 70 km across the sea from Chandipur. AAD is launched when Prithvi reaches an apogee of 110 km. AAD with the help of midcourse updates and terminal seeker manoeuvres itself towards the target. AAD makes the direct hit at an altitude of 15 km and at a speed of Mach 4. Radars detected formation of a large number of tracks, signifying that the target had broken into multiple pieces. The thermal cameras located on Wheeler Island also picked up the direct hit through thermal images[10]
[edit] Deployment
According to scientist V. K. Saraswat of DRDO the missiles will work in tandem to ensure a hit probability of 99.8 percent.[14] Induction of the system into services is expected to be in 2010.
[edit] Future Development
- Two new anti ballistic missiles that can intercept IRBM/ICBMs are being developed. These high speed missiles (AD-1 and AD-2) are being developed to intercept ballistic missiles with the range of 5000 km.[15] The test trials of these system is expected to take place in 2009/2010.[16]
[edit] Gallery
 PAD Missile at RCI, Hyderabad |
 AAD Missile being integrated at RCI, Hyderabad |
 AAD Missile being integrated at RCI, Hyderabad - Note the Jet vanes |
[edit] External links
- Bharat-Rakshak Missile Page
- India to have Ballistic Missile Defence system in place by 2010
- Ghazala Yasmin (2006). "Missile Defence in South Asia: Implications for the Region". Strategic Studies Journal 26 (3). Islamabad: Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI).
- Dr. Sanjay Badri-Maharaj. "Ballistic Missile Defence for India". IAF Today. Bharat-Rakshak. - A detailed, but somewhat dated analysis.
[edit] References
- ^ India expects to use missile interception system as a weapon, top scientist says
- ^ India developing new missiles Towards destroying hostile missiles
- ^ The New GuardianIndia unveils an all new anti-ballistic missile expected to be the fore-runner of a sophisticated air defence system to thwart, among other threats, a Pakistani nuclear weapons attack
- ^ Ministry of Defence (India) (28 December 2007). "Development of Ballistic Missile Defence System: Year End Review". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
- ^ Quoted in News Desk, “Pakistan May Use Any Weapon,” The News, May 31, 1999.
- ^ Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons Program (PDF)
- ^ Options Available to the United States to Counter a Nuclear Iran By George Perkovich - Testimony by George Perkovich before the House Armed Services Committee, February 1, 2006
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Interview: Vijay Kumar Saraswat
- ^ The Hindu Business Line : 40 cos involved in making of missile killers
- ^ a b c T.S. SUBRAMANIAN (Dec. 22, 2007-Jan. 04, 2008). Smashing hit. Frontline. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
- ^ India Plans Second Anti-Ballistic-Missile Test in JuneThe interceptor rocket has a liquid-fueled first stage that uses two propellants and oxidizers, and a solid-fuel second stage with a gas thruster that can turn the rocket at more than five Gs. The missile carries sensors to guide it to its target.
- ^ Interceptor missile scores ‘direct hit’
- ^ Aroor, Shiv. "Another anti-missile test planned for June", Indian Express, 1 February 2007. Retrieved on 2008-01-27.
- ^ India on way to joining exclusive BMD club
- ^ India to develop high speed interceptors
- ^ India developing ballistic missiles to destroy IRBMs, ICBMs
[edit] Videos
- (2007-12-06). AAD Test Launch Video (wmv). Integrated Test Range, Chandipur: DRDO. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
- (2007-12-06). New Addition to India's Missile Shield [News Report]. Times Now. Retrieved on 2008-01-27., News report about the AAD test and comments from Dr. M. Natrajan.
- Vishal Thapar. (2008-12-15). India's Answer To Pakistan's cruise missiles [News Report]. CNN-IBN. Retrieved on 2008-01-27. "Dr. Saraswat, "Our studies have indicated that it (AAD) will be able to handle a cruise missile intercept"."
- (Sep 2007). Brahmos Missile and Interceptor Missile Development [Television production]. S1 TV. Event occurs at 1:36. - News Report in Hindi.
- (2006-05-01). Indian Tactical Missile Development [Television production]. Doordarshan News. Retrieved on 2008-01-27., DD News interview with Dr. V.K. Saraswat
[edit] See also
- Anti-ballistic missile
- Integrated Guided Missile Development Program
- National Missile Defense
- Defence Research and Development Organization, the Organization involved in the development of the ABM systems.
