APD | India to work on draft space doctrine

By APD writer Rishika Chauhan

NEW DELHI, January 31(APD)-- According to recent reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval to prepare a draft space doctrine for India.

The government is feeling the need for a doctrine concerning space after the recent test of anti-satellite missile technology by India. 

India will also have to create an authority to command and control space technology. 

A committee with the heads of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation chiefs (ISRO) is expected to be formed and consulted.

A report published by the Hindustan Times quoted an official involved in the space program explaining, “We have to lay down the defensive/offensive steps required in case Indian satellites are destroyed or degraded or there is access denial by an adversary through electro-magnetic radiation.”

The space doctrine is expected to answer questions related to the strategic uses of anti-satellite (A-SAT) capability, especially clarify if India will follow the no first use or NFU policy in space like in does in case of nuclear weapons.

The doctrine would also explain the establishment of the space command for management and operationalization of the A-SAT missiles.

India conducted the A-SAT test on Wednesday and became the fourth country after, US, Russia and China, to acquire the capability.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)