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
First Published: Sunday, January 03, 2010, 16:25