February 11, 2005 :: Statesman (India) :: News
Citing an announcement by defense officials at a press conference, India’s The Statesman reports that India could establish an air and missile defense shield for a 200 square kilometer area within five or six years, quoting defense scientists said. Such a system could reportedly be duplicated to protect “big cities and strategic facilities like nuclear reactors and space launching sites against incoming missiles.” The interceptor is said to be a surface-to-air missile with a range of 80-85 km, and another interceptor with a range of about 20 km. The Akash SAM is mentioned as a possible interceptor for such a system; “Meanwhile, the Akash will have some anti-missile system capabilities.”
As for the radars for such a system, Mr M. Natarajan, DRDO chief and scientific advisor to the defense minister, said they might include a phased-array radar placed on an executive jet, such as the Brazilian Embrear. India has already purchased from Israel the Phalcon aircraft-mounted radar system. (Article)
» Jan. 25, 2005: India Daily: India pursuing manipulation of ionosphere to fry electronics of incoming warheads
» Feb. 12, 2005: Hindustan Times: India BMD to use Prithvi missile, Israeli-origin Green Pine radar
» More stories on: High Energy Defenses, India
