Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the test of an interceptor missile gives India a "cutting edge competency" in the area of security.

Modi said in his radio programme Mann ki Baat: "India has successfully test fired the Ballistic Interceptor Missile.

"During its trial, this missile, based on interceptor technology, destroyed an enemy missile at an altitude of about 100 km above the earth and thus marked its success.

"This is a significant, cutting edge competency in the arena of security. And you will be happy to know that hardly four or five countries in the world possess this capability.

"India's scientists have demonstrated this prowess. Its core strength lies in the fact that if, even from a distance of 2,000 km, a missile is launched to attack India, our missile can pre-emptively destroy it in the space itself," Modi added.

On February 11, India successfully test fired a Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) interceptor missile designed to intercept and destroy hostile ballistic missiles in space even before they enter the Earth's atmosphere.

In the test, an incoming missile was successfully intercepted at a height of 100 km with a direct hit by an interceptor missile. The PDV can reach even higher altitudes.