Relevance : GS Paper III
Why has this Issue been Raised?
On March 27, India carried out a successful test of an Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapon, launching an interceptor missile from the Balasore range in Odisha to hit a live satellite in Low Earth Orbit. It thus became the fourth country in the world to develop an ASAT capability.
About the ASAT Test
- India’s demonstration of ASAT capability comes a little more than a decade after China’s, and nearly six decades after that of the U.S. and Russia.
- The test shows that India is not averse to weaponisation of outer space.
- India has sought to reassure the global community that it has not violated any international treaty or understanding with this test.
- India has also taken great pains to advertise the fact that the international community, especially the U.S., had not faulted India for carrying out this test, in marked contrast to what had happened when China had carried out an ASAT test in 2007.
- It would be facile to think that the world endorses India’s claims regarding its peaceful intentions.
Weaponization of Outer Space
- ASAT capabilities are generally perceived as integral to ballistic missile defence programmes. This clearly identifies an ASAT test as a military programme. In turn, it implies an intention to embark on weaponisation of outer space. It is, perhaps, for this reason that countries such as Israel and France, which are believed to have this capability, have so far refrained from carrying out such tests
- Why India chose to test an ASAT weapon at this juncture is likely to cause consternation among many, given the tacit agreement among nations not to weaponise outer space.
- The international community cannot be faulted if it were to think that India had deliberately breached an unwritten convention against weaponisation or militarisation of outer space.
Relevance of ASAT
- ASAT was essentially a Cold War phenomenon whose strategic importance has declined over the years.
- Currently, none of the other three countries which possess an ASAT capability extol its strategic value and importance.
- The U.S., Russia and China, all seem to demonstrate less and less interest in pursuing ASAT weaponry.
- These countries are increasingly focussing on laser and cyber capabilities to achieve the objective of neutralising killer satellites.
- Countries are experimenting with directed-energy weapons, radio frequency weapons, etc. rather than concentrating on shooting down satellites in space.
- Thus, it is a moot point whether India’s ASAT test, and its positioning as a critical element in India’s strategic defence capability, will have the desired impact that the nation’s leaders hope for.
Pak-China Angle
- It is almost certain, as was the case with India’s nuclear test, that Pakistan will immediately try to acquire the same capability, in all likelihood with generous assistance from China.
- China can also be expected to become increasingly wary of India’s intentions in space, and take appropriate counter-measures. The bottom line is that by carrying out the March 27 test, India has neither achieved a higher level of deterrence nor is it likely to lead to a more stable strategic security environment.
Way forward for India
- India should play down the military objective of its ASAT test.
- India needs to convince other nations that space is not part of India’s overt defence calculations.
- India should highlight the fact that its enormously successful space programme, unlike those of many other countries, is notable for being conceived and implemented as a civilian programme, quite distinct and separate from any military programme or objective.
Conclusion
There is little strategic advantage accruing from an ASAT test; on the other hand the damage that could be caused to India’s image as a peaceful and responsible nation intent on, and committed to, peaceful uses of space could be immense.
