According to Dr Kamat, the Phase II BMD (ballistic missile defence) AD-1 can intercept any projectile of the 5,000 km-class.
"If enemies target (us) from long range, we now have the capability to intercept. It is a significant jump in our capability against ballistic missiles," he said.
ALSO READ: Indian Army registers IPR of new design and camouflage pattern uniform
"Once our radars pick it (the enemy missile) up, it (the AD-1) will be able to track it... our defence system can be activated and (the) missile can be intercepted. It is mainly endo-atmospheric but also works in low exo-atmospheric region. We're developing for high exo-atmospheric region," he added.
The two systems will provide the country with a multi-layered defence against incoming ballistic missiles, once operational and integrated, said defence ministry officials said. The system offers a hit-to-kill probability of 99.8 per cent.
The missile, propelled by a two-stage solid motor, has advanced (indigenously developed) control, navigation and guidance systems to strike with precision.
The AD-1 - described by officials as a missile with a 'large kill-altitude bracket' - was test-fired from the APJ Abdul Kalam island off the Odisha coast.
Officials said 'all systems performed as per expectations'.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh called the missile 'unique' and said it had technology 'available only with a few countries'.
With ANI inputs.
