Narendra Modi congratulated Indian scientists for developing a missile that can destroy other missiles in air. (Source: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hinted that India may have successfully developed a ‘THAAD-type anti-missile defense system.

Speaking at an election rally at Budaun in Uttar Pradesh today, PM Modi congratulated Indian scientists for developing one of the best missile defense systems at a time when a number of countries, including Pakistan, are busy developing missiles.

PM Modi said that the new system has been successfully developed by Indian scientists and it can destroy any incoming missile at the height of 150 kilometres. “I want to congratulate Indian scientists,” he said,

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is one of the recent addition to the US’ anti-ballistic missile arsenal. It has been designed to hit missiles as they dive towards the earth, not when they go up. THAAD can engage with incoming missiles at the maximum altitude of 93 miles above the surface of the Earth. It seems Indian scientists have also developed a similar anti-missile system.

PM Modi didn’t give much details of the new system. However, he took a dig at the opposition parties by saying that the latter would now ask for “proof” about the new system. Earlier, the opposition had asked for proof of the Surgical Strikes carried out by the Indian Army on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on September 29.

While addressing another rally at Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, he once again talked about the missile and congratulated scientists for the achievement. Modi said, “If anybody fires a missile towards India, it could be destroyed mid-way 150 kilometres in the air. Till now, only 4 or 5 big countries achieved this feat and I want to congratulate Indian scientists for improving security of citizens.”

During the speech, PM Modi also attacked the Samjwadi Party-Congress alliance for the ongoing Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections and said that SP government has made UP unsafe for women.

In December last year, Pakistani army had claimed to have successfully test-fired an enhanced version of an indigenously-designed cruise missile that couldn’t hit targets at 700 kms with all kinds of warheads, bringing many Indian cities within its range. Called ‘Babur’ after the Mughal invader, the missile is part of Babur Weapon System version- 2 and is an enhanced version of the earlier missile, said a PTI report.

The US has announced it would deploy THAAD in South Korea to neutralise the threat from North Korea’s alleged Nuclear ambitions. However, this decision has irked China and become lead to a rupture in Sino-US relationship.