"India Shot Down Live Satellite, A Space Power Now," Says PM

The A-SAT missile shot down the Low Earth Orbit satellite within "three minutes of launch", with remarkable precision and technical capability, PM Modi said.

 DELHI: 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced that India had joined the elite club of space powers by shooting down low earth orbit satellite with an anti-satellite missile or A-SAT. India is the fourth country to have tested such an anti-satellite weapon after US, Russia and China, PM said, addressing nation on the success of what he called "Mission Shakti". PM Modi called it a test of India's capability to shoot down low orbit satellites and asserted that India's action not directed against any country.

 check here what india's pm said

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"India has today established its name as a space power," said the PM, adding that Indian scientists had used an anti-satellite or ASAT missile to bring down a live satellite 300 km away in space in what is called a low-Earth orbit.

India's current range of strategic missiles is mostly intended for deterrence against China and Pakistan.

In 2007, China first used a ballistic missile to destroy its own old weather satellite orbiting 535 miles (861 km) above Earth. Russia has been testing a missile that could be used to strike and destroy a satellite or ballistic missile.

"India stands tall as a space power. It will make India stronger, even more secure and will further peace and harmony," said PM Modi.

India would only be the fourth country to have used such an anti-satellite weapon after the US, Russia and China, said the Prime Minister.

"The ASAT missile will give new strength to India's space programme," he remarked.

"Mission Shakti was a highly complex one, conducted at extremely high speed with remarkable precision. It shows the remarkable dexterity of India's outstanding scientists and the success of our space programme."

Soon after the PM's address, the Ministry of External Affairs made the same point in an FAQ on "Mission Shakti".

The test isn't directed against any country. India's space capabilities don't threaten any country nor are they directed against anyone. At the same time, the government is committed to ensuring the country's national security interests and is alert to threats from emerging technologies," said the foreign ministry.