Structure:

Introduction: (up to 30 words) Briefly explain what Ballistic Missile Defence Program is.

Body: (up to 100 words) Break down India’s Ballistic Missile Defence Program coupled with Airborne early warning and control system.

Conclusion: (up to 30 words) Explain the benefits and how it enhances India’s defence preparedness.

Supporting Points:

The Indian ballistic missile defence program aims to develop multi layered ballistic missile defence system for protecting the Indian territory from ballistic missile attacks. The Indian ballistic missile defence programme consists of Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) and Advanced Air Defence (AAD) projects. India is the fourth country to have successfully developed an anti-ballistic missile system, after United States, Russia, and Israel.

Ballistic Missile and Ballistic Missile Defence System:

1. A ballistic missile is the one that follows the ballistic trajectory after it's launch. It is guided in the initial phase of the launch i.e. lift of phase, the rest of the trajectory depends on gravity and friction force and require minimal guidance.
2. Ballistic missile defence system refers to a missile defence system that shields the territory against ballistic missile attacks. The purpose of the ballistic missile defence system is to defend against the attacking missile by intersecting its projectile path.

• The ballistic missile can be intercepted by the ballistic missile defence system in three phases viz. during terminal phase ( atmospheric descent phase); mid-course interception of the missile ( inflight interception); lift of phase interception that targets the launch point.

1. Usually, the ballistic missile defence system consists of two tier automatic system. It consists of Advanced radar early warning system, integrated command and control centre, and the interceptor missile batteries located strategically on land and sea.

Components of India's Ballistic Missile Defence System:

Prithvi Air Defence (PAD):

1. Prithvi Air Defence (also known as Pradyumna ballistic missile interceptor) is a ballistic missile interceptor that has been designed for the interception of the inbound ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere. Prithvi air defence system is a two-phase missile that has the highest deflection height of 80 km.
2. The first stage the missile consists of the solid fuelled motor, and the second stage consists of a liquid fuelled motor.

• Prithvi air defence system has a maximum range of 2000 km and the deflection height of 50 to 80 km. It can achieve a speed of Mach 5 that is enough to hit incoming medium range ballistic missiles.

Advanced Air Defence (AAD):

1. Advanced air defence AAD is ballistic missile interceptor developed by DRDO for deflecting the incoming missiles in the endo-atmospheric region at a height of 30 km.
2. AAD consists of a single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile.

An airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system is an airborne radar system designed to detect aircraft at long ranges and control and command the battle space in an air engagement by directing fighter and attack plane strikes.

AEW&C units are also used to carry out surveillance, including over ground targets and frequently perform C2BM (command and control, battle management) functions similar to an Airport Trac Controller given military command over other forces. Used at a high altitude, the radars on the aircraft allow the operators to distinguish between friendly and hostile aircraft hundreds of miles away.

AEW&C aircraft are used for both defensive and oensive air operations. The system is used oensively to direct ghters to their target locations, and defensively in order to counter attacks by enemy forces, both air and ground. So useful is the advantage of command and control from a high altitude, It will look deep into our neighbouring countries and detect incoming missiles and aircraft from hundreds of kilometres away in all-weather conditions. It will also help detect troop build-up in territories around us

Netra:

1. First indigenously developed airborne early warning and control system (AEW&C) called NETRA, mounted on a Brazilian Embraer-145 jet has been inducted into Indian Air Force.
2. NETRA has been developed by DRDO.

• India has become only 4th such nation after United States, Russia and Israel that have developed such technology on their own.

1. Currently Indian Air Force using 3 Israeli Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) which are mounted on Russian IL-76 heavy-lift planes. These Phalcon AWACS has a range of 400 kms and 360-degre coverage.
2. Some of the important features of NETRA are:
   1. Range of 200 kms (Capability to detect aerial threats from incoming aircraft and missiles).
   2. 240 degrees coverage (simultaneously scan the area on both sides of aircraft)
   3. Electronic and communication counter measures.
   4. Line of sight and beyond line of sight data link.
   5. Voice communication system and self-protection suit.

The recent geostrategic and geopolitical situations in India's neighbourhood require India to strengthen its defence capabilities. Deployment of indigenous BMD will also bolster India's make in India programme and would aid to its No First Use Policy.