India testfires home-made supersonic interceptor missile

India on Sunday testfired an indigenously developed supersonic interceptor missile off the coast of the eastern state of Odisha, sources said.

"The testfiring of the Advanced Air Defense Missile from a test range on Abdul Kalam Island was to ensure its capability of destroying any incoming ballistic missile mid-air," the sources said.

The 7.5-meter-long, solid rocket-propelled guided missile is fitted with a navigation system, a hi-tech computer and an electro-mechanical activator, the sources said.

The testfiring was part of India's efforts to develop a full-fledged, multi-layer ballistic missile defense system. Endit