Modi's address to nation: India successfully tests anti-satellite weapon
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter that he would address the nation around noon and make a very important announcement. Stay tuned for the latest updates from the address
 "narendra modi")
PM Narendra Modi | Photo credit: twitter @DDNational
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite. Addressing the nation, the prime minister said India's action was not directed against any country.
Shooting down a low earth orbit satellite is a rare achievement for the country, he said. The satellite was orbiting at an altitude of 300 km, he said, describing India as a space power.
Mission Shakti, which was led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, was aimed at strengthening India's overall security, he said
PM Modi said "India joins USA, Russia and China with the capability to hit Low Earth Orbit satellite with an A-SAT missile".
Modi said India's motive in being a space power was to spread the message of peace, not war.
Modi said Mission Shakti is special for 2 reasons:
(1) India is only the 4th country to acquire such a specialised & modern capability.
(2) The entire effort is indigenous.
The prime minister had advertised his address to the nation on Twitter, calling it an important message.
"Do watch the address on television, radio or social media," he said, setting off speculation across the country on what the topic was likely to be.
मेरे प्यारे देशवासियों,
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 27, 2019
आज सवेरे लगभग 11.45 - 12.00 बजे मैं एक महत्वपूर्ण संदेश लेकर आप के बीच आऊँगा।
I would be addressing the nation at around 11:45 AM - 12.00 noon with an important message.
Do watch the address on television, radio or social media.
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A-SAT is a first shot to fame as part the Strategic Defense Initiative, nicknamed “Star Wars”
A-SAT is a first shot to fame as part the Strategic Defense Initiative, nicknamed “Star Wars”, pioneered in the early 1980s by then US President Ronald Reagan.
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In 2012, the launch of the Agni V was the first step to developing India's anti-ASAT capability.
In 2012, the launch of the Agni V was the first step to developing India's anti-ASAT capability.
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Govt Sources: The satellite which was hit today was a micro satellite launched by the ISRO on January 24 this year
Govt Sources: The satellite which was hit today was a micro satellite launched by the ISRO on January 24 this year.
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MEA on A-SAT: Test isn't directed against any country. India’s space capabilities don't threaten any country nor are they directed against anyone. At the same time, govt is committed to ensuring country’s national security interests&is alert to threats from emerging technologies.
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DRDO chairman G Satheesh Reddy: We have mastered anti-satellite capability
We have mastered anti-satellite capability and we have today shown that we can hit satellites at long ranges with a few centimetres accuracy: DRDO chairman G Satheesh Reddy
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Minutes after Modi's announcement, BJP leaders congratulated the prime minister for India's success.
Minutes after Modi's announcement, BJP leaders congratulated the prime minister for India's success.
Rajiv Pratap Rudy tweeted: Historic day and a matter of great pride for every Indian.
Under the visionary leadership of Modi, India successfully accomplished Mission Shakti by testing the Anti-Satellite A-SAT Missile.
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Former DRDO Chief and NITI Aayog member Dr VK Saraswat to ANI on anti-satellite weapon A-SAT: This is a fantastic capability to have and it gives us a deterrence in case our adversaries try to militarise the space or try to prevent us from using our existing space capabilities.
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Nitin Gadkari congratulates scientists for carrying out 'Mission Shakti'
Nitin Gadkari: Congratulations to all the scientists for carrying out "Mission Shakti" successfully. India is moving fast towards becoming a world leader, and under PM Modi's leadership, it is on its way to not only become a 'super economic power', but also a 'super science power'.
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First Published: Mar 27 2019 | 11:44 AM IST
