PHOTO: AFP/FILE
BHUBANESWAR: India successfully test-fired an anti-ballistic missile on Sunday capable of intercepting targets outside the earth's atmosphere, a major step in development of a missile defence system that is available to only a handful of nations.
Sharing borders with nuclear armed China and Pakistan, India is developing a two-tier missile defence system that aims to provide a multi-layered shield against ballistic missile attack.
"This (test) is part of the ballistic missile defence system which we are developing...," said Ravi Kumar Gupta, spokesperson for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
"The mission has been completed and the interception parameter has been achieved."
The system is intended to destroy an incoming missile at a higher altitude in the exo-atmosphere, and if that fails in the endo-atmospheric within the earth's atmosphere.
Currently, only a small club of nations including the United States, Russia and Israel possess an anti-ballistic missile system.
India, China and Pakistan are all nuclear powers.
India has fought three wars with Pakistan and came close to a fourth one in 2001. It lost a brief Himalayan border war with its larger neighbour China in 1962 and has ever since strived to improve its defences.
In recent years, New Delhi has accused China of making hundreds of intrusions along their disputed border. However, China denies crossing into Indian territory.
Adding to its worries are China's forays into the Indian Ocean and its involvement in building a string of ports stretching from Pakistan's Gwadar to Chittagong in Bangladesh.
In light of changes in geo-political situation in its neighbourhood, many analysts have suggested revisiting India's nuclear doctrine whose central principle is that New Delhi would not be first to use atomic weapons in a conflict.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is widely tipped to form the next government after ongoing national elections in May, has promised to revise the doctrine, but has ruled out the first use of nuclear weapons.
COMMENTS (62)
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@Kamal: Do you know anything about ballistic missiles??
@Gratgy: I dont know why you are becoming so arrogant over a simple concept.
Forget AMB and ASAT's technical complexity for a time. My point was simple that today's war strategy is based on stealth being used to take out enemy's command and control systems. What good is an ABM or ICBM etc when your entire command and control network can be taken out within minutes?
By the way, your command and control systems are mostly satellite dependent too along with your missile guidance systems that also rely on gps etc. Imagine if all your satellites are taken out before the starting of war?
A great achievement by India for China and Pakistan with love.
@Anees: DRDO is doing better job than PAC, running paint shop to color the Junk Fighter from red to green :)
Now every one has painted the positives with their comments, on the anti missile and nuclear threats in one or other way.. Let me give the bad aspect now. No country in the world has the recipee to defend its people from a nuclear attack! All current systems are meant for the psyches of their own people and damage control!!!
Rex Minor.
@Aseem Technically its true that India is 4th country to developed these capabilities, but the European nations you have mentions have American Missile Defense system Under NATO Treaty.
The article says only USA, Russia, Israel (and now India) have anti ballistic missile system. What about China, UK, France, Germany..???? If its so, then its indeed a commendable job by the Indian defence scientists. In wake of nuclear attacks, this is the best defence system.
@Ali Tanoli,
Thanks for lighting up the fire under the feet of our Indian friends. There are more responses addressed to you specifically than anything else.
What you said must be hitting where it hurts the most...
Anything from DRDO should be taken with a truck load full of salt!
@goldconsumer: You are talking about the Strategic Defense Initiative of 1983. A lot of missile were adapted and designed but how many were finally built?
As I mentioned in my post ABMs are far more complex than ASATs since they have to track launch, reentry and trajectory of a missile over a very short distance unlike a SAT which has to hit an large object on a known trajectory. An ABMs can be converted in ASATs but not vice versa. Can you name one Anti satellite system that has been converted to Anti ballistic missile defense system?
I can name many Anti ballistic missiles that have been converted to ASAT roles. So that means India can convert its ABM into ASAT roles with much less difficulty whereas China cannot convert ASAT into ABM
The whole idea of stealth based aircrafts along with integrated long range early warning systems, anti radar and communication electronics and related hardware is to literally have an eye on enemy’s missile deployments and readiness.
Why do you need to have AWACs to keep an eye on the enemy when you can easily do so using Satellites. Why would you use jammers and announce your presence to the enemy when the planes are stealth bombers and are supposed to be invisible? PLus stealth is not fool proof- A F117 was shot down using a SAM battery in 1999 in Yugoslavia.You are not making much sense here. But then you never do
This is the real nuclear threat that is festering in South Asia. It is a threat to all countries, including the United States, not just China and Pakistan. Everybody must acknowledge it, but they neither seems able to slow their dangerous race to annihilation.
Its been failed many times and lost of billions of $ by U.S and I am wondering why india try ing to get this scrap???
@Ali Tanoli: Truly and well said.
@Ali Tanoli: Though I do not favour this show off by many on this board however please do not bring another conspiracy theory and smuggling theory.
@Gratgy: You are wrong in comparision of ASAT with ABM's
""The Strategic Defense Initiative gave the US and Russian ASAT programs a major boost; ASAT projects were adapted for ABM use and the reverse was also true. The initial US plan was to use the already-developed MHV as the basis for a space based constellation of about 40 platforms deploying up to 1,500 kinetic interceptors."" Source: Wikipedia.
The whole idea of stealth based aircrafts along with integrated long range early warning systems, anti radar and communication electronics and related hardware is to literally have an eye on enemy's missile deployments and readiness. Its acting before the enemy decides to pull the trigger. And by the way, the way you talk of mass killings... I can understand you are a Modi follower?
If we really wanted to stand in the line of these handful nations than despite of making these missiles, we need for the betterment and prosperity of our people. The DRDO of India is celebrating its triumph why every Indian institution work in this speedy manner. These non-productive gadgets just meant to stay in their showrooms because as they used that would be end to all of us.
@goldconsumer: China has no Anti ICBM. IThey preferred making anti satellite missile. Its way superior than an anti ballistic missile and can be easily developed into one
What kind of bizarre statement is this? Comparing anti satellite and anti ballistic missiles is like comparing apples with oranges. Who told you that anti satellite systems can be converted into anti ballistic missiles.
Satellites follow a preordained path an can be tracked very easily. In fact an anti satellite system is comparatively easier to make. You do not have to track launch, re-entry and trajectory of a supersonic missile unlike a satellite which just follows a known geostationary trajectory. These are two completely different systems
Anti ballistic missile technology is a failure. To cope up with it and have real technological advantage, US developed its deadly stealth technology. It’s B2′s are more reliable in first or premtive strike on enemy.
Ignorance is strong in this one!! What has B2 stealth bombers have to do with anti ballistic missiles?? both are different weapon systems. How will stealth bombers neutralize incoming nuclear ballistic missiles?? Plus there is no such thing as a preemptive strike when the enemy has a nuclear triad.
Also stealth is never deadly, no one is killed by stealth technology. Stealth is a force multiplier not a lethal technology by itself. It is the missiles that do the killing. US is incorporating stealth in all its fifth generation fighter aircraft such as F22 and F35 and will probably retire B2s bombers because of the prohibitive costs involved in flying the thing. it is much cheaper to achieve air superiority and then let large bombers such as B52s supported by AWACS and Growlers do the damage
I am sure India has been getting a lot of help from Israel and the US in India's anti-missile program. India seems to have achieved a big strategic step with its anti-missile program. What this means is that, even if the kill efficiency is less than 100%, Pakistan's strategic nuke missile strike capability against India has been negated to a large extent.
What this means is that unless Pakistan too spend a large amount of money on its own anti-missile development, its strategic deterrent posture will have been compromised to a great extent. For this reason, I expect Pakistan to increase its spending on anti-missile development and also on submarine based nuclear weapons. Will Saudi Arabia help out Pakistan with the $30B+ that it would take to re-balance its strategic strike posture?
@Shakeel: Russia need interceptor missile against ICBMs (from USA) which is more complex than that against 2000 km range one. China also need to counter ICBMs from USA, threat from India is new one (from Agni 3, 4, 5), so they need time, but they also will test.
Ignorance is bliss . Lets Indians and Pakistanis enjoy their party .
India's missile development in the region is actually of concern for Pakistan and China, Obviously after seeing these missile developments Both countries would not sit and watch India's developments on military side rather they would react cautiously and with even better missiles than that of India's. Ultimately leading the region towards an arms race and will abolish peace if it has been prevailed ever.
Indian nuclear developments at its peak, I wonder if there is any arms controlling international organ. More interestingly, Indian PM's vision is all about global disarmament but his country is expending its nuclear arsenal. Simply, Mr Singh is deceiving global community.
If Pakistan didnt exist anymore tomorrow? Would the world be a better place?
@Shakeel: For all Indians out there here are some facts in addition to Mr. Shakeel
1) China has no Anti ICBM. IThey preferred making anti satellite missile. Its way superior than an anti ballistic missile and can be easily developed into one
2) Anti ballistic missile technology is a failure. To cope up with it and have real technological advantage, US developed its deadly stealth technology. It's B2's are more reliable in first or premtive strike on enemy. US deterence does not rely on anti ballistic technology at all. They would always go for kill against the enemy's command and contriol system, electrical and communication networks. Stealth comes in real handy.
Anyways I would not like to spoil the Indian merry days. Happy dreams and waste of money!
@Pakistani: India never attacked Pakistan not because of lack of courage...but because there is nothing in Pakistan to conquer...
What exactly you have which we need to covet? Oil??? Uranium Deposit?? Mineral deposits?? Coal Deposit??
Zilch,Nothing with 180 million Jihadi minded Muslims who are waiting to blow themselves to attain their salvation...The Border between us is more for our benefits than yours...
You have the audacity to call India as the cheapest country but currently 1 Indian ruppee is 1.62 Pakistani ruppee,,,Let me start comparing the GDP
@Pakistani: What one on one are we talking about. We won every war, There is no more an E Pakistan. Kashmir remains an integral part of India despite all your direct and indiret attempts to extricate it from India. We control the flow of river waters into Pakistan and consequently your food production and the well being of your people. Siachen, Kargil, Sir Creek all remain with India. So what one on one are we talking about? A fist fight? Indians dont waste time on such wasteful hallucinations.
@Ali Tanoli: You speak well from your experience. The designs of the nukes you have today's was stolen by none other than Dr. Abdul Qadir. We don't have to steal. We have scientific and engineering pool very capable and the results of this can be seen the space module on its way to Mars.
@Pakistani: India's defense expense to tax ratio is much smaller than Pakistan.
Secondly in 1965 and 1971 Pakistan actually had much better equipment because it was free due yo signing SEATO and Cento and poor India could not afford the same type of equipment. Dedpite better equipment and element if surprise on its side Pakustan did not succeed in 1965
. Pakistani has capable to hit any part of India for the knowledge of Indian frnds.India is cheapest country on the planet they need to work to give better life to their citizen not by wasting money on useless projects.
After this, Pakistani wouldnt be capable of Hitting India with a nuclear weapon.The Range of Prithvi Air Defence is, 2000 Km, that spans the major launch sites of Pakistan.So, even before the missile launches, it wll be blown out of the sky and then Indians will press the trigger.Dont talk on nuclear terms, it was just a missile defence test.Cool down Arab.
....in other news.. pakistan allocates more money to the defense budget, to cover expenditure for the future import of green paint in response to Indian's missile test!
@Stealth: how sad! 2009 report. it says India lags in missiles, not MISSILE TECHNOLOGY. both are different. and it clearly mentioned that paki missiles are with the help of China and North Korea. at that time only agni1 and 2 were inducted, but as of now, India testfired agni 3 (5000km), Agni 4 (4000km), Agni 5 (8000 km), hypersonic missile shaurya, submarine launched missiles K-15(700-2000km), and K-4 (3500 km), anti ballistic missiles, PAD, AAD, and PDV. pakistan cruise missile is nothing but lowered version of tomahawk with the help of china
@Ali Tanoli: :) why would India needed to smuggle it? India could have very well asked for the missile cover like Europe does to US.And if Israel was giving it to India, do you think US would tolerate that? After all its would be loss of business for US. Any way, since we all know Pakistanis cringe over anything and everything positive about India, so your rant is not something Indians are not used to of. Lets just say even if it is US technology, then you guys should be very very careful now. US technology works as we all know while Chinese technology....hmm not even Chinese are as sure about it as you Pakistanis are.
@Ali Tanoli: By keeping to yourself "SUPERtechnology", you always have a great advantage over other. F16 is not space or missile super-technology. They are the third-in-line aviation technology which US always sell only as products to make money from others.
Who on this planet would venture to go into the land of avatars from space? They have enough within the country to smoke themselves out:
Rex Minor
India always have better equipments than Pakistan i admit it.. but they never have such courage to fight with Pakistan army one on one on field.. and both countries know this is totally useless and wastage of money & time because if they try to demolish each other they can easily do by pressing one button to their atom bombs which will be more enough. Pakistani has capable to hit any part of India for the knowledge of Indian frnds.India is cheapest country on the planet they need to work to give better life to their citizen not by wasting money on useless projects.
just like Geneva Convention (down the drain against alqda and the likes, idea is my enemies are not worthy to be called human let alone have human rights), first use is also a farce ... when and if they need they will use everything from nuclear to chemical and try to call it something else; or like the iranian backed assad blame the victims are gassing themselves to make the brutal assad regime looks bad, and the worst part is, the world community will waste months after months trying to figure out who is the victim ... its all a joke. Iqbal was right when he said "the worst crime is being weak" offcourse, he said it with a much better selection of words
@Author : India has fought three wars with Pakistan and came close to a fourth one in 2001. It lost a brief Himalayan border war with its larger neighbour China in 1962 and has ever since strived to improve its defences. . All four Wars were Declared Upon India! . Cheers
@Khalsa, Russian made tanks and expire sub marines and now western scrap yard is india of caurse u cant be like Pakistan.
Good luck to them but it's a dud concept militarily. Anyone who operates one has no real confidence in them. Israel has iron Dome yet despite that some homemade crude Hamas missiles get through. Prior to that they were hyping the Arrow system as awe inspiring yet it couldn't stop Hizbollah rockets, which were incredibly crude weapons, they did very little actual damage, yet couldn't be intercepted. Israel had so little confidence in Arrow before the start of the recent Iraq war they requested the USA deployed their PAC3 system to protect Israel from potential Iraqi missile strikes. PAC-3 intercepted more RAF Tornadoes (friendly fire) than it did Iraqi missiles. The Patriot system (the older version) was deployed in the first Gulf war and found to be ineffective, remember the missiles hitting Kuwait City? Russia hasn't developed an ABM neither have the Chinese, yet the Russians do claim the S-400 to have that capability.
Energy based weapons have a much better chance of being successful ABM systems, using missiles is the equivalent of trying to hit a bullet with a bullet. For Russia/USA it makes a little more sense, they have a lot more warning time as missiles will travel longer distances between those countries in event of war. For India, it's primary adversaries would be next door, the window for detection is next to nothing, making it even more difficult for these systems to be effective.
@gratgy yes his version of "world" limits only to pakistan.
@Ali Tanoli: Whole world knows guys please open your eyes.
Your "world" must be a truly small one
Its OK. Well done India. Shabaash. But you are far behind. Pakistan has a ground based anit-missile laser kill system. A few units on the border will take care of Indian IRBM's. Far more effective. The only problem is that we don't have enough electrical power to fire these lasers. :((
India lags behind Pakistan in missile technology- her is a TOI report on this issue. The world over it is known fact that Pakistan's missile program with help from China and North Korea is far advance, particularly in cruise missile tech. Ballistic missile is a separate issue and India seems to be ahead in this due to ISRO factor.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-lags-behind-Pakistan-in-missiles/articleshow/4060400.cms
@Vectra:
If Pakistan had conducted a test, it would have been increasing the arm race in the region and should be condemnable. Now since India has done that its an excellent news. No wonder why India could never progress from the status of third world country
@Ali Tayoli: nothing else can be expected from pakistan who are only good in green painting chinese and Northkorean missiles
@Nitin Why not when dangers are big the need gotta be large think about it America gave F16 to Pakistan, Turkey, Israel, and even to Jordan why??? why china help Pakistan, or America help Israel allways???
Why am I not surprised? After all the funding of USA and Israel cooperation needed to be utilized!
Great News!!!! India is now way AHEAD of China in Space and Missile Defense. Slowly but surely we are neutralizing the nuclear deterent. Good work ISRO and DRDO!!!!
Whole world knows guys please open your eyes.
@Ali Tanoli:
Nobody "gifts" anybody such super-technology as anti-missile system or space technology. Each country has to develop its own. That is why there are so few of them
Pakistan was depending on Ballistic Missiles for reaching far-off distances in India. Cruise missiles have very short range.
Anti-Ballistic missiles are doable, but very, very costly and technologically complicated.
The real challenge is to develop both anti-Ballistic and anti-Cruise missile capabilities which are integrated with each other.
The first step is near, the second and third steps will take time. I give it 10 or 20 years.
@Ali Tanoli: projection? :;-). You must know what that word means.
@Ali Tanoli:
How about the craft which is on its way to Mars right now.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/639638/indias-spacecraft-successfully-begins-journey-to-mars/
Is that USA made too?
@Ali Tanoli: if it is ,we would rather watch on US tv for it's test,unlike pakistanis we don't run painting industry under the garb of defence....why don't you provide it's equivalent name in USA...
@ali: india is not pakistan. but u hav right to suit yourself with any delusion you like
Made is U.S.A gifted to Israel and smuggled to India.
i would rather want to hear this news in its deployment stage than in early testing phase ...still i would go with drdo has a large mouth with very little action to match it...but in last few years they got better and better at esp in ballistic missiles R&D...hopefully they gonna pull off nirbhay and astra as elegantly as they did today.....
Damn :(
India is a great country with better defense system and going to become a super power in future.
And trigger would be in Hands of modi..great timing indeed