Indian ASAT

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'India readying weapon to destroy enemy satellites'
Updated on Sunday, January 03, 2010, 16:25 IST

Thiruvananthapuram: Indian defence scientists are readying a weapons
system to neutralise enemy satellites operating in low-earth orbit, a
top defence scientist said here on Sunday.

"India is putting together building blocks of technology that could be
used to neutralise enemy satellites," Defence Research and Development
Organisation Director General VK Saraswat told reporters on the
sidelines of the 97th Indian Science Congress.

However, he added that the defence scientists have not planned any
tests but have started planning such technology which could be used to
leapfrog to build a weapon in case the country needed it.

Saraswat, who is also the Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister, said
the scientists were planning to build the weapon which would have the
capacity to hit and destroy satellites in low-earth orbit and polar
orbit.

Usually, satellites in such orbits are used for network centric
warfare and neutralising such spacecraft would deny enemy access to
its space assets.

"We are working to ensure space security and protect our satellites.

At the same time we are also working on how to deny the enemy access
to its space assets," he said.

To achieve such capabilities, a kill vehicle needs to be developed
and that process is being carried out under the Ballistic Missile
Defence programme.

"Basically, these are deterrence technologies and quite certainly many
of these technologies will not be used. I hope they are not used,"
Saraswat said.

In January 2007, China had demonstrated its capability to destroy
satellites by conducting an anti-satellite test.

It had launched a missile that blew to smithereens an ageing weather
satellite Fengyun 1C orbiting at a distance of 500 miles away from the
earth.

Saraswat said the DRDO is building an advanced version of its
interceptor missile with a range of 120-140 km.

The missile interceptor is expected to be test fired in September.

Space security is going to be a major issue in the future and India
should not be left behind in this area, the defence scientist said.

PTI