India test-fires Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence interceptor

India on Wednesday conducted the successful maiden flight test of phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) interceptor, AD-1 missile, from APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha. The missile has a large kill altitude bracket. All BMD elements participated in the test. "AD-1 is a long-range interceptor missile designed for both low exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception," an official said.