02-14-2011, 03:13 AM
I[url="http://www.deccanherald.com/content/136768/india-has-technology-defend-satellites.html"]ndia has technology to defend satellites: Saraswat[/url]
Quote:Bangalore, Feb 11, (PTI):
India did not believe in space wars but had all the technology required to integrate systems to defend its satellites, V K Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, said on Friday.
"Our country does not have a policy to attack anybody in space. We don't believe in it. But as part of the Ballistic Missile Defence Programme, we have all the technology elements which are required to integrate a system through which we can defend our satellites or take care of future requirements."
As a country, "we do not believe in space wars", he said in response to a query whether India had anti-satellite weapon capabilities.
India did not have a formal anti-satellite weapon policy of attacking satellites in space, but was well geared in case of any eventuality, he told reporters here.
Giving updates on the various defence programmes, he said the 'Nirbhay' project, relating to a subsonic medium range cruise missile, is undergoing integration and the first flight trial is expected early next year.
Discussing the Hypersonic cruise missile, he said it was one of the most complex technologies under development with only two countries -- US and Australia -- having done it so far. He said the engine for the missile had undergone a test of 20-second duration on the ground and had performed "reasonably well".
He expected that in early next year the flight test of Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle can be conducted in which they would be able to demonstrate the flight engine at an altitude of 30 kms.
Giving an update on Agni-V missile, he said all the rocket rotors, first stage, second stage and third stage have been developed. "We will ground test it," he said adding the software and hardware essential for control of guidance for a long-range missile is being developed.
"We expect that by end of this year we will have the first flight of Agni-V," he said.
Talking about the Fifth Generation fighter Aircraft programme, Saraswat said DRDO's six laboratories were part of the programme and involved in bringing new technology in the field of avionics, test and evaluation, material composite.HAL and DRDO would benefit from the programme, he said.
Prahlad, DRDO Chief Controller, said as per the global norm in joint venture, the 'background IP' is held with the respective countries, while the foreground IP (developed during the joint venture) will be shared between both, and given to others with mutual consent.
On the Arjun programme, he said MBT Arjun is already under production with the first order of 124 tanks followed by another order of 124 tanks. Another variant of the MBT Mark two was expected to go into production by early 2014.India had all relevant technologies to build an aircraft, which were comparable to international standards, he said.
"All the elements of aerospace are today within our grip," he said, be it the range of aircraft, the testing range and capabilities to integrate all weapons and sensors on any of the aircraft.
Saraswat said the Arihant programme is on schedule.Replying to a question on removal of nine entities from the entity list of the US, he said he welcomed the move but said much would depend on the licensing policy of the US with regard to dual use technologies where American laws were very stringent.
The move is also expected to accelerate the R and D programme with US while India has already identified 30 programmes with Washington.
Talking about expected defence budgetary expectations, Saraswat, he said last year it was Rs 9000 crore and this year it was expected to be around Rs 9000 to 12,000 crore