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Anti-satellite missile test deterrence against threats to space assets: MEA

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the test conducted on a live Indian satellite as a major breakthrough.

Updated on: Mar 27, 2019, 14:56:10 IST
New Delhi | By
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India said it carried out an anti-satellite missile test on Wednesday to deter threats to its space assets from long-range missiles but that it had no plans to enter into an arms race in outer space.

India said it carried out an anti-satellite missile test on Wednesday to deter threats to its space assets from long-range missiles. (AFP file photo)
India said it carried out an anti-satellite missile test on Wednesday to deter threats to its space assets from long-range missiles. (AFP file photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the test conducted on a live Indian satellite as a major breakthrough and said India was only the fourth country to have used such an anti-satellite weapon after the United States, Russia and China.

READ: Mission Shakti space op ‘not directed against any country’, says PM

“The capability achieved through the anti-satellite missile test provides credible deterrence against threats to our growing space-based assets from long range missiles, and proliferation in the types and numbers of missiles,” the Ministry or External Affairs said in a statement.

The ministry added that the test was done in the lower atmosphere to ensure there is no debris in space and that whatever is left will “decay and fall back onto the earth within weeks”.

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