Anti-satellite missile capability showcased in R-Day parade (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 3 : Science and Tech
Prelims level : Air Defence Tactical Control Radar
Mains level : Various missile technologies and defense technologies

Context:

• India showcased its Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile capability to the world as the ASAT weapon, Mission Shakthi, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) rolled out on the Rajpath during the 71st Republic Day parade.
• The IAF’s newest inductions, Chinook heavy lift helicopters and Apache attack helicopters, also made their debut during the flypast.
• A DRDO marching contingent displayed the ASAT missile along with a second equipment, the Air Defence Tactical Control Radar (ADTCR).

ASAT missile:

• Anti satellites: It is designed to incapacitate or destroy satellite.
• There are two types of Anti satellites viz, Kinetic and Non-kinetic.

Uses of ASAT missile:

• It has to jam enemy countries satellites.
• Provide critical information like troop movements and incoming missiles.
• To launch cyber attacks on space systems.

Pin point accuracy:

• On March 27, 2019 the DRDO shot down a live satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) of 300 km using a modified interceptor of the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system in ‘hit to kill’ mode with 10-cm accuracy.
• The test a major breakthrough in demonstrating the ASAT technology and that the ASAT weapons “play a critical role in providing the necessary strategic deterrence”.
• The covert technology of ‘hit to kill’ developed for the first time in India for such applications enables it to destroy an enemy satellite by directly colliding with it with pin-point accuracy.
• The ADTCR is used for volumetric surveillance, detection, tracking and friend/foe identification of aerial targets of different types and transmission of prioritised target data to multiple command posts and weapon systems.
• Three CH-47F(I) Chinook helicopters flew in a ‘vic’ formation followed by five AH-64E Apache helicopters which flew in ‘arrowhead’ formation.
• Both these helicopters were inducted into service last year.
• India has contracted 22 Apache helicopters and 15 Chinook helicopters from Boeing through the Foreign Military Sales programme of the U.S. government in September 2015 under a $3-billion deal.

Mission Shakti:

• It has led by Defense Research Development Organisation (DRDO).
• It is aimed at to strengthening overall security.

Guard of honour:

• In a change of tradition, before commencement of the parade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the flame of the immortal warrior at the National War Memorial (NWM), instead of the Amar Jawan Jyoti (AJJ) at the India Gate.
• The NWM, inaugurated in February last year, is located at the ‘C’ Hexagon near the India Gate and was built in memory of about 22,500 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives for the country in the post-independence period.
• The AJJ will now be used only for regimental events and visiting dignitaries.
• Among the Army’s marching contingents, marching for the first time on the Republic Day was a contingent from the Corps of Army Air Defence.
• The Army’s Signal Corps contingent was led by Capt. Tanya Shergill, a fourth generation officer.
• The Army showcased its recent induction, the 155-mm Dhanush towed howitzer and K9-Vajra self-propelled artillery gun.
• The Army is likely to constitute its first Dhanush regiment in March.
• This is also the first Republic Day parade with a fourth four-star officer in attendance following the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
• Gen. Bipin Rawat was present along with the three Service Chiefs. Symbolising this was a tri-service helicopter formation of three Advanced Light Helicopters from the three Services.

Way forward:

• With a bright sun and fairly clear sky, the audience got a good view of the flypast and the parade culminated with a lone SU-30MKI performing a “vertical charlie” menuvore which drew the maximum applause.

  Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

  General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

Prelims Questions:

Q.1) With reference to the Global Investment Trend Monitor report, consider the following statements:
1. It was released by World Economic Forum (WEF).
2. India was among the top 10 recipients of FDI in 2019.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: B
Mains Questions:
Q.1) Describe the uses of ASAT missiles. What are the major advantages and disadvantages of the missiles?