India needs space command to counter China: Army

New Delhi, June 16: Citing China's rapid militarisation of space, Army chief Deepak Kapoor on Monday raised the pitch for establishing the much-delayed tri-services space command for persistent surveillance and quick response to any threat to India's assets in orbit.

Kapoor's remarks came in the wake of India's defence establishment, shaken up after China demonstrated its capabilities to shoot down satellites in January last year, initiating counter measures to ward off the anti-satellite (ASAT) threats.

Only last fortnight, Defence Minister A K Antony had announced the setting up of an integrated space cell at the Integrated Defence Staff headquarters to act as a single window for military use and security of space resources, apart from performing the role of interface among army, navy and air force, besides Department of Space and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

"Chinese space programme is expanding at an exponentially rapid pace in both offensive and defensive content. There is an imperative requirement to develop joint structures in the Indian armed forces for synergising employment of space assets," Kapoor said, inaugurating a day-long training for army officers on 'space applications for military use' here.


Courtesy:expressindia.com
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