Test-firing of interceptor missile significant milestone: Prez

President Pranab Mukherjee today congratulated DRDO on the successful test-firing of the PDV interceptor missile, calling it a significant milestone in boosting India's defence capabilities.
In a message to Department of Defence Research and Development (DRDO) Chairman S Christropher, he said, "I extend my hearty congratulations to all those associatedwith the successful test-firing of the Prithvi Defence Vehicle(PDV) Interceptor Missile.
"India nowjoins a select group of nations having suchan effective ballistic missile defence system. The nation is proud ofthis accomplishment made by DRDO."
Mukherjee said the successful test is a "significant milestone inboosting India's defence capabilities and will provide enhanced security against incoming ballistic missile threats".

"Kindly convey my greetings and felicitationsto the members of your team of scientists, engineers, technologists and all others associated with this mission. I wish the DRDO continued success in the coming years," he told the DRDO chief.
India had yesterday successfully tested the interceptor missile off the Odisha coast, achieving a milestone in developing a two-layered Ballistic Missile Defence System.
The country has entered an exclusive club of four nations with developing capabilities to secure its skies and cities against hostile threats, an official statement had said after the test in which an incoming ballistic missile was intercepted by an exo-atmospheric interceptor missile off the Bay of Bengal.