India's missile defence system is set to get a big boost as it is developing capability to intercept enemy missiles fired from a distance of up to 5,000 km. According to DRDO chief Avinash Chander, the capability is being developed by his organisation as part of the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) shield, whose first phase is ready for deployment possibly in Delhi.

Under the phase II of the programme, all the components of such a missile shield including the radar and interceptor missiles would be new and will have extended ranges.

Mr. Chander said, DRDO is planning to have a new missile testing range in the Andamans for carrying out the test-firing of systems such as the long-range BMD.

He said, this is importent because we need to have separation distance between two missile units stations so that a missile can be fired from Balasore and intercepted it in Andaman and Nicobar. This, however, will need various clearances, including from the Environment Ministry.