PM lay foundation stone of DRDO's new Missile Testing range in Andhra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the  Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Missile Test Range at Nagayalanka in Andhra Pradesh, worth around Rs 1,460 Crore..

Prime Minister, who was on a visit to Andhra Pradesh on 2 April 2025, also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development projects worth over Rs 58,000 crore in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh.

He came to Andhra Pradesh after commissioning the country’s first transhipment and semi-automatic Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala.

Need for Nagayalanka Missile Testing Range 

India has two functional missile testing ranges at Chandipur and Wheeler's Islands near the coast of Odisha. These missile sites are not equipped to test missiles, which DRDO is developing under phase 2 of the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD). 

Considering the DRDO's requirement, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved a new missile testing site at Nagayalanka in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.

• The new missile testing site will enable the DRDO to test Phase 2 BMD interceptors. Interceptor missiles destroy hostile incoming missiles in the air at a safe distance.
• The new missile testing range will be capable of testing both short-range and long-range missiles.
• The new missile range system will have two missile ranges placed well apart along the missile trajectory.   
• Missiles will be fired from one range, and an interceptor missile will fire from another range to intercept them.

History of the Nagayalanka Missile Testing Range 

The Nagayalanka missile testing range has a history of facing various obstacles. The new missile testing site is within the Krishna River delta in the Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.

The area is rich in mangrove forests, and the missile site construction will destroy 155 hectares of them. 

The area is also believed to have oil and gas reserves.

The Union Petroleum Ministry approved the project in 2012. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest cleared the proposal, and DRDO planned to start construction in 2013.

However, the Environment Ministry’s clearance was challenged in the Supreme Court on the ground that it would destroy the mangrove forest.

After the approval of the Supreme Court, the Cabinet Committee on Security finally gave its approval in 2024.’

About Phase 2 of the Ballistic Missile Defence System 

Phase 1 of the DRDO’s BMD is operational.

• Phase 1 of the DRDO’s BMD can intercept missiles in a range of less than 2000km.
• The Phase-1 can intercept Pakistani missiles like Shaheen and Ghauri and the Chinese missiles Dongfeng-21.
• Hypersonic missile interceptors with a Mach 4-5 speed have been developed.

Phase -2  

• It is being developed to intercept missiles that have ranges greater than 5,000 km(Intercontinental ballistic missile)
• Hypersonic interceptor missiles with a Mach 6-7 speed will be developed.
• The system will intercept missiles at very high altitudes and be capable of handling multiple, simultaneous attacks. 
• According to the DRDO, the Phase-2 Ballistic Missile Defence will be as good as the United States' THAAD or Terminal High Altitude Area Defence missiles as part of its missile shield. 
• Like the THAAD system, the Phase-2 missile can intercept ballistic missiles over 200 km away and track targets at ranges over 1,000 km. 

Also Read: PM Commissions Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport