l India and the ASAT Weapon

[Srinivas]

India and the ASAT Weapon

http://www.observerindia.com/cms/si...brief/attachments/ORF_Ib_41_1346129414917.pdf

Long article some imp points:

Ambiguity vs An Actual Test
The fourth dimension relating to India's ASAT test is the domestic discourse on the issue. While the
Chinese ASAT test definitely raised concerns in the US regarding the security of their space assets, few
heard the alarm bells ringing in New Delhi. The successful testing of India's anti-ballistic missile, on
March 6, 2011, was touted as a step towards developing an indigenous ASAT capability. Clearly, the
development of the second phase of India's ABM programme, targeting ballistic missile with a range of
5,000 km, would bring it closer to an ASAT weapons capability. Mr. V.K. Saraswat, the Director-General
of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), publicly acknowledged that India is
developing and acquiring the necessary technologies needed to destroy an enemy satellite.18 In terms of
capability, DRDO has claimed that it has developed the three necessary elements required to destroy a
satellite––a long-range radar, a missile, and a 'kill' vehicle.19 Although India has made it clear that it is in
the process of acquiring an ASAT capability, there have been no indications of conducting a test.
One school of Indian experts believes that India need not conduct a test. It has been postulated that the
ambiguity of India's capability should be enough to serve as a deterrent, especially in light of the fact
that the failure of the test would be a setback for the credibility of the deterrence programme. Then
there is also the issue of maintaining integrity with international guidelines pertaining to space debris.
High level officers of the scientific community in India have cited debris creation as a reason for India
testing its ASAT capability using electronic simulations.20 Such views have not found resonance amongst
military planners as also other strategic experts who reiterate the need for 'actual demonstration'.
While there is no disagreement on the fact that India develops effective targeting and precision
capabilities in its ballistic missiles, the experts argue that ambiguity alone would not suffice and India
should, therefore, consider having a proven capability.21 Arguably, the Chinese publicly acknowledged
that they would not be conducting any more ASAT tests; they did so only after demonstrating beyond
doubt their capability to target in orbit satellites

 

[satish]

We should not only develop ASAT technology but also test it for our national defense.

 

[rashtriya.rifles]

frankly INdia's asat capabilities are only proven in simulations IMO. The capability will become more real with the coming of AD-1/AD-2