India has successfully tested a series of advanced defence systems, including a ballistic missile shield designed to counter long-range threats and a new naval anti-ship missile, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced on Friday.
The trials were conducted on June 10 and 11. Officials said the exercises assessed technologies developed to deal with emerging missile and maritime threats. The demonstrations form part of India’s wider effort to expand indigenous defence capabilities.
Missile shield clears key test
The Ministry of Defence said three flight tests were carried out in succession. During the exercises, interceptor missiles were launched against designated targets and achieved the intended results.
According to the ministry, the trials confirmed the performance of India’s multi-tier Ballistic Missile Defence system. The technology has been developed to detect, track and destroy incoming missile threats across different layers of engagement.
Government officials described the outcome as a major advancement for India’s strategic security architecture.
The ministry said the capability now places India among a small number of countries with the ability to engage ballistic missile threats up to the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile category.
“These tests have put the country in the elite group of nations having BMD capability to engage up to Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles,” the ministry said.
The latest achievement builds on earlier work under the Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence programme. In a previous test, DRDO launched a target missile that simulated an incoming hostile ballistic missile before activating the interceptor network using tracking data gathered from land-based and sea-based radars.
New naval missile completes maiden flight
DRDO also recorded a successful first flight of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range (NASM-MR).
Officials said the weapon is expected to provide the armed forces with an additional maritime strike option. The missile is intended to strengthen operational capability against hostile targets at sea.
The test marks another step in India’s effort to reduce dependence on imported defence systems and expand indigenous missile development programmes.
Rajnath Singh congratulates teams
Senior DRDO and armed forces officials observed the trials.
DRDO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, Rajesh Kumar Singh monitored the tests and praised the contribution of scientists, engineers and industry partners associated with the programme.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and all participating teams. According to the ministry, he said the successful demonstrations would further strengthen India’s preparedness in critical defence sectors.
The @DRDO_India has successfully demonstrated multiple crucial technologies bolstering nations defence capabilities against different types of enemy threats.
Three consecutive flight-tests were successfully conducted to demonstrate multi-layered defence against long range… pic.twitter.com/0DKQF0LB30
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 13, 2026
Officials said the outcomes reinforce the country’s push towards self-reliance in advanced defence technologies and next-generation strategic systems.