INDIA is now a “space power” after successfully testing a high tech missile that can shoot down satellites. That’s according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who made the bold claims during an unexpected address to the nation on Wednesday. He said the new defence tech puts India in space’s “super league”, and would “make India stronger, […]
INDIA is now a “space power” after successfully testing a high tech missile that can shoot down satellites.
That’s according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who made the bold claims during an unexpected address to the nation on Wednesday.
He said the new defence tech puts India in space’s “super league”, and would “make India stronger, even more secure and will further peace and harmony”.
According to Modi, India successfully tested an anti-satellite missile (ASAT) on a low-orbit satellite “some time ago”.
Launched as part of the secretive Mission Shakti, the missile obliterated a pre-selected target 185 miles away in outer space.
“It was shot down using an ASAT satellite within just three minutes,” Modi said.
“Mission Shakti was a very tough operation. It required high levels of technical expertise. Scientists have achieved all set goals and targets in this operation,” he added.
The feat makes India just the fourth country to possess ASAT tech, after the United States, China and Russia.
India’s version is comprised of a three stage missile that fires into space from a mobile missile launcher truck.
Once in the air, it is guided to its target by a long-range radar system on the ground, which is also identifies the target and tracks it through space.
Travelling faster than a mile per second, the weapon hones in on the satellite before destroying it with an almighty blast.
The announcement is Modi’s latest bid to flex India’s military muscle as his party seeks to retain power in polls beginning April 11.
India has had a space program for years, making earth imaging satellites and launch capabilities as a cheaper alternative to Western programs.
The development of weapons capabilities has raised fears of setting off a race between rival powers and sparking space conflicts.
Brahma Chellaney, a security expert at New Delhi’s Centre of Policy Research, warned that the weaponisation of space is gathering momentum.
“Space is being turned into a battlefront, making counter-space capabilities critical. In this light, India’s successful ‘kill’ with an ASAT weapon is significant,” he told Reuters.
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