IAF to launch its satellite to gather information: Air Chief

The first Indian Air Force controlled satellite that will be used to gather navigational information will be put in space in July 2009.

The first Indian Air Force (IAF) controlled satellite that will be used to gather navigational information will be put in space in July 2009.

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Air Chief Marshal FH Major who, described the proposed satellite as the IAF eye in the skies, said on Tuesday that it would basically be used to gather navigational information, which would help IAF positioning.

The Air Chief, who was interacting with reporters on the sidelines of a University of Pune function, said similar satellites of almost all major countries are already operating to collect necessary data.

Earlier, the Air Chief Mashal Major, who delivered the annual Gen B C Joshi memorial lecture at the university, said, "Our plans for future expansion have made it inevitable that we would have to utilize the realm of space."

He said," While I am not a die-hard proponent of weaponisation of space, I am convinced that harnessing the capabilities that space provides, creates a force multiplier effect and increases effectiveness of our operations manifold."

Noting that India has a well developed Space programme Air Chief Major said it was his intention to harness the capability that space based assets provide and put in place structures and mechanisms to exploit enhanced capability.