Advancements in India’s Ballistic Missile Defence

Context: India’s ballistic missile defense program takes a significant leap forward with its first successful flight test of the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) interceptor missile capable of neutralizing long-range missiles and aircraft, from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.

Why in the News?

• India successfully conducted the maiden flight trial of an endo-atmospheric interceptor missile as part of its ballistic missile defense program. The purpose of the trial was to neutralize hostile ballistic missile threats, including AWAC (airborne warning and control systems) and intercepting incoming long-range nuclear missiles.
• India has been developing capabilities to intercept hostile ballistic missiles inside and outside the earth’s atmospheric limits. The exo-atmospheric missiles are capable of completing missions in the upper-most region of the earth’s atmosphere.
• In November, India successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of phase-II ballistic missile defence interceptor AD-1 that is capable of engaging many different types of targets. The AD-1 is a long-range interceptor missile designed for both “low exo-atmospheric” and “endo-atmospheric” interception of long-range ballistic missiles as well as aircraft.

What are Ballistic Missiles?

• Ballistic missiles are weapons that can carry a nuclear or conventional warhead over thousands of kilometres before hitting their target.
• These missiles are launched into space before re-entering the atmosphere and hitting their target.
• They have been used in many conflicts around the world and are considered one of the most dangerous weapons in modern warfare.

Types of Ballistic Missiles: There are two main types of ballistic missiles:

1. Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs): These are missiles that can travel over 5,500 kilometres and can strike targets in other continents. They are the most powerful ballistic missiles in existence and are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
2. Medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs): These are missiles that can travel between 1,000 and 5,500 kilometres and can strike targets in neighboring countries. They are also capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Endo-Atmospheric and Exo-Atmospheric Missiles: India has been developing endo-atmospheric and exo-atmospheric missiles to protect itself from hostile ballistic missiles.

• Endo-atmospheric missiles: These missiles are designed to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles within the Earth’s atmosphere. They operate at an altitude below 100 kilometres. India’s AD-1 missile is an example of an endo-atmospheric missile.

• Exo-atmospheric missiles: These missiles are designed to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles outside the Earth’s atmosphere. They operate at an altitude above 100 kilometres. India’s Agni-V missile is an example of an exo-atmospheric missile.

Air Defence-1 (AD-1): Air Defence-1 (AD-1) is a part of India’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) program. It is a long-range interceptor missile designed to strike down incoming missiles and aircraft. The AD-1 system is capable of both low exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception of long-range ballistic missiles as well as aircraft.

Significance

• The AD-1 system is a critical part of India’s national defence strategy, particularly given the country’s location in a region with a high degree of geopolitical tension.
• The successful test of the AD-1 system demonstrates India’s commitment to building its indigenous defence capability.
• The AD-1 system is a major step forward in India’s BMD program, which is essential for protecting the country against missile attacks.

The Need for BMD in India and its Apprehensions: India is a country surrounded by hostile nuclear states and faces the threat of radicalized non-state actors obtaining missile technology. In this context, the importance of Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) for India cannot be overstated.

Benefits of BMD

• Opportunity to strike back if a nuclear projectile is launched by an enemy state while following ‘No First Use policy’.
• Shields from non-state actors-initiated missile warfare and avoids Mutual Destruction trap.
• Preparation against hostile, nuclear states in its north.
• Proactive measure to tackle China’s Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) strategy.
• Reduces the incentive for the enemy state to launch a nuclear attack, thus enhancing strategic stability.
• Indigenous system reduces import bill of defence systems from other nations.
• Provides better reconnaissance, detection, tracking, and situation awareness.
• Technology developed for BMD can be used in other sectors, especially in space technology.

Apprehensions regarding BMD

• Arms race with Pakistan investing in more powerful missiles to thwart BMD, disturbing strategic balance.
• Ineffective against Cruise missiles, which both China and Pakistan possess capable of delivering the nuclear payload.
• No BMD can have a 100% success rate in the interception of the projectile (ballistic missile).
• BMD is a very costly affair, as seen in the U.S. Continental System’s estimated cost of around $100 bn from 2002 onwards.
• Wide and segregated geography of India creates a problem in protection of all critical centres and creation of land infrastructure for BMD in many areas.
• Even after interception, there remain chances of damage, especially if the interception is done in the terminal phase of the ballistic missile.
• BMD testing is done in controlled atmospheres, raising questions about its efficacy in war time.
• DRDO has been criticized for not releasing whole data related to BMD system, which evokes a sense of suspicion regarding BMD’s capability.

Implications

• Strengthening National Security: The successful test of the AD-1 system strengthens India’s national security by providing a critical defence against missile attacks.
• Indigenous Defense Capability: The AD-1 system’s success demonstrates India’s commitment to building its indigenous defence capability.
• Geopolitical Tensions: The AD-1 system’s development is crucial for India’s national defence strategy, given its location in a region with a high degree of geopolitical tension.
• Technology Development: Technology developed for BMD can be used in other sectors, especially in space technology.

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