- Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) is a two tired defence shield which aims to destroy enemy ballistic missiles.
- The BMD consists of two interceptor missiles, the Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) and the Advanced Area Defence (AAD) missile.
- PDV/Pradyumna Ballistic Missile Interceptor is capable of destroying missiles at exo-atmospheric (high) altitudes of 50–80 km.
- PDV is a two stage supersonic missile fuelled by solid motor in 1st stage and liquid fuelled in 2nd stage.
- AAD/Ashvin Advanced Defense interceptor is capable of destroying missiles at endo-atmosphere (low) altitudes of 15-30 kilometers.
- AAD is a single-stage supersonic solid fuelled interceptor missile.
- The Ballistic Missile Defence shield is expected to be achieved by 2022.
- AAD was recently successfully test-fired from a test range in Odisha.
