The Anti-satellite missile PDV Mk II, Odisha, India, 27.03.2019. IMAGE: DRDO
In a national address on March 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India had test-fired a rocket that shot down one of its own low-orbit satellites making a “historic feat”. This move put India in an exclusive club of nations, along with the US, Russia and China, that have proved their ability to destroy targets in space.
“India stands tall as a space power!” Modi tweeted after his announcement. He added that the entire effort had been “indigenous,” accomplished entirely by Indians.
On March 27, India used a PDV (Prithvi Defence Vehicle) Mk II interceptor missile to shoot down the MICROSAT-R (2019-006A) satellite, which was launched on January 24, 2019. The targeted satellite was at a height of over 280km.
The PDV Mk II is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
