India shot down live satellite, ?Mission Shakti? makes the Nation space superpower: PM Narendra Modi

In a special address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that India shot down a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite. With the successful testing of anti-satellite weapon, the Prime Minister said, India has become a “space superpower”, only the fourth nation after the US, Russia and China.

“A short while ago, India has shot down an LEO satellite by anti-satellite missile. It was conducted under Mission Shakti, which was completed in three minutes,” PM Modi said in a special address.

“India has entered its name as an elite space power. An anti-satellite weapon, A-SAT, successfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit,” the prime minister said in a televised address.

He said Mission Shakti is an important step towards securing India’s safety, economic growth and technological advancement.

The prime minister said, “A-SAT missile will give new strength to India’s space programme. I assure the international community that our capability won’t be used against anyone. It is purely India’s defence initiative for its security. We are against arms raised in space. This test does not breach any international law or treaties.”