The interceptor missile test, scheduled to be conducted on Sunday, was put off after one of the pre-launch operations got delayed during the final countdown. It will take place on Monday.
According to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials, there was no technical snag or malfunctioning.
Delay in assembly
The test had to be postponed due to delay in assembly and operation of the one of the sub-systems. Since the delay had led to overshooting the specified time allotted by the civil aviation authorities, the exercise had to be deferred.
The officials said it would be held on Monday after getting fresh clearance from the civil aviation authorities.
During the test, an endo-atmospheric interception of an incoming ballistic missile would be carried out at low altitude, off the Orissa coast. While a variant of the surface-to-surface Prithvi, acting as “hostile” missile, would lift off from the Integrated Test Range's Launch Complex-III, a high-speed interceptor, Advanced Air Defence 12 missile, would be fired from Wheeler Island a few minutes later to intercept and kill the target.
