File photo. Photograph:( ANI )
A day after India's successful anti-satellite missile test, DRDO Chairman G Sateesh Reddy said that ASAT missile programme started a few years back and entered ‘mission mode’ six months ago.
About 100 scientists worked around the clock to reach the intended launch date target, he added.
#WATCH DRDO Chairman GS Reddy to ANI says, “NSA (Ajit Doval) whom we report to on strategic matters gave direction to go ahead with the test & he had the concurrence from PM. The development started a few years back & we went into mission mode in last 6 months.” #MissionShakti pic.twitter.com/QPoPobC9pp
— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2019
According to Reddy, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, who had the concurrence from the prime minister, gave the go-ahead for the test.
DRDO reports to Doval on strategic matters.
Reddy said A-SAT missile was capable of targeting all ‘Low Earth Orbit’ (LEO) satellites and has a range of up to a 1000 Kilometers plus.
''We have the ability to handle LEO satellites but we intentionally chose at low altitudes as a responsible nation to see that all the space assets are safe and debris decayed fast,'' he added.
The missile has been developed specifically as an anti-satellite weapon, Reddy said and added, it has the technologies developed for ballistic missile defence applications, particularly the kill vehicle.
According to Reddy, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, who had the concurrence from the prime minister, gave the go-ahead for the test.
