India begins work on developing hypersonic missile defence technology.

India seems to be moving towards the next stage of its missile defense architecture, beginning early work on interceptors intended specifically to defeat hypersonic missile threats, multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), and cruise missiles. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is already developing initial concepts for two new interceptors, designated “AD-AH” and “AD-AM”, which are expected to sit within the future Phase III of the country’s Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) programme.

An increasingly demanding regional context

These efforts are unfolding in a fast-changing regional strategic environment, shaped not only by China’s progress in hypersonic missiles, but also by the continued modernisation of ballistic arsenals across Asia.

For India, the requirement for a defence against emerging threats has become a key part of strategic planning-particularly for safeguarding urban centres, vital military installations, and command and control nodes.

Although technical information on the new interceptors remains scarce and the programme is reportedly still at an early stage of design and conceptual validation, analysts broadly agree that the DRDO is pursuing an indigenous route-limiting dependence on foreign systems while reinforcing the country’s defence industrial and technological base.

DRDO “AD-AH” and “AD-AM” interceptors: the core of Phase III of the BMD

Based on what has been published to date, the AD-AH (Advanced Defense – Anti-Hypersonic) and AD-AM (Advanced Defense – Anti-Missile) interceptors are envisioned as the central elements of the next phase of India’s BMD programme, with the purpose of dealing with far more sophisticated, high-velocity threats. In particular, the intent is to counter hypersonic missiles that can manoeuvre during the flight phase, as well as systems fitted with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs)-widely regarded as among the most difficult challenges for conventional missile defences.

Within this framework, Phase III of the BMD programme is intended to substantially widen the interception envelope in both altitude and speed, alongside the integration of more advanced sensors, new target discrimination algorithms, and guidance systems designed to function in highly saturated and complex environments.

A qualitative step beyond current Indian missile shield capabilities

According to available reporting, these initiatives would represent a qualitative leap compared with India’s existing missile shield, which to date has concentrated mainly on intercepting short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. Current efforts have relied on systems such as the Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV), together with the AAD and PDV Mk-II anti-ballistic and anti-satellite interceptors associated with earlier phases of the programme.

Images used for illustrative purposes.

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