As part of its plan to deploy a two-layer ballistic missile defence system, India today successfully test-fired its indigenously developed supersonic interceptor missile from the Integrated Test Range off Odisha coast.

A surface-to-surface target missile — a modified ‘Prithvi’ — was first lifted from the launch Complex-III in ITR at Chandipur, 15 km from here around 10.13 am, Defence sources said.

The missile tracking network consisting of long-range and multi-function radars and other range sensors positioned at different locations detected and identified the incoming missile.

The interceptor missile at Wheeler Island, about 70 km across the sea from Chandipur, with a directional warhead was launched at about 10.16 am and ground and on-board control guided it to the target, the sources said.

The last flight of interceptor missile was conducted on March 6, 2011.