After Mission Shakti’s Success, PM Modi Asks NSA Ajit Doval To Draft Space Doctrine For Future Combat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to draft India’s space doctrine that will outline the protocols needed to operationalise India’s new offensive space capabilities following MIssion Shakti’s success, reports Hindustan Times (HT).
On Wednesday (27 March), India demonstrated its anti-satellite capability by shooting down a satellite in the Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) at the height of 300 km. The test, called ‘Mission Shakti’, was conducted from the Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.
The demonstration of this capability has put India in an elite club of nations which can shoot down satellites in orbit. India has become the fourth country in the world after the US, Russia and China to demonstrate this capability.
“We have to lay down the defensive/offensive steps required in case Indian satellites are destroyed or degraded or there is access denial by an adversary through electro-magnetic radiation,” said a government official to HT.
No First Use?
After acquiring the technological know-how, India will also need to address questions regarding how A-SAT will fit into the country’s overall national security framework. There is a need for clarity on whether India will stick to its no-first-use (NFY) policy in the case of A-SAT, similar to what it has in its draft nuclear doctrine.
Questions calling for a separate space command for management and operationalisation of the A-SAT missiles, also need adequate consideration.