India’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) programme

• India’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) programme is an indigenously developed, multi-layered shield designed to protect critical assets from hostile ballistic missile attacks by DRDO in 2000
• Tier I: Exo-Atmospheric Interception: This tier targets and neutralizes incoming hostile ballistic missiles outside the Earth’s atmosphere.
  • Prithvi Air Defence (PAD): Also known as Pradyumna. It handles high-altitude interceptions at altitudes between 50 km and 80 km. It is a two-stage rocket (solid first stage, liquid second stage) capable of intercepting Mach 5-class ballistic projectiles.  
• Tier II: Endo-Atmospheric Interception: This tier engages hostile threats within the Earth’s atmosphere
  • Advanced Air Defence (AAD): Also known as Ashwin. It intercepts targets at lower altitudes of up to 30 km. It is a single-stage, solid-fueled interceptor that moves at hypersonic speeds (Mach 4.5) to neutralize short-to-medium-range threats. 

Source: The Hindu