Anti -satellite missile (ASAT) are space weapons designed to incapacitate or destroy satellites for strategic military purposes. Several nations possess operational ASAT systems, with others in development or design. Although no ASAT system has yet been utilised in warfare, several nations have shot down their own (defunct) satellites to demonstrate their ASAT capabilities in a show of force. Only, United States of America, Russia (using MSB expertise), China and India  have demonstrated this capability successfully.

   Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a big announcement on today 27/03/2019  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.

  India has become the fourth country in the world to hit a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite in space, with Indian scientists using an anti-satellite missile to bring down an LEO satellite. The mission was completed in 3 minutes.


"India has shot down an LEO satellite to make 'Mission Shakti' a benchmark in the history of our country," said Prime Minister Modi in his address to the nation on Wednesday.

"Till now, only US, Russia and China had achieved this; India has become the fourth country to achieve this feat," the Prime Minister added.

"Mission Shakti is a huge step forward! It will ensure our spy satellites will not be shot down by China in case of war."