New Delhi: One of the major highlights at the Republic Day parade marking the 70th year of Indian Republic was showcasing of the Anti-Satellite Weapons (ASAT) – Mission Shakti by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

ASAT (Anti-Satellite) weapons which play a critical role in providing the necessary strategic deterrence. Mission Shakti, India’s first Anti-Satellite (ASAT) mission, was a major breakthrough in demonstrating the nation’s Anti-Satellite technology.

The second equipment of DRDO displayed at the Parade witnessed by a large nationwide audience was the Air Defence Tactical Control Radar (ADTCR) used for volumetric surveillance, detection, tracking and friend/ foe identification of aerial targets of different types and transmission of prioritised target data to multiple command posts/ weapon systems.

On show at the parade were also several other products developed by the DRDO such as surface-to-air-missile ‘Akash’, Mobile Bridging System ‘Sarvatra’, beyond visual range air-to-air missile ‘Astra’, Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’, Air Defence Tactical Control Radar (ADTCR) and Anti-Satellite Missile (ASAT) were displayed as part of different tableaux of DRDO and the Armed Forces.

The maiden successful trial of ASAT was carried out on March 27, 2019. Mission Shakti, the test mission, was a major breakthrough in demonstrating the nation’s anti-satellite technology and precision strike capability. ASAT will play a critical role in providing necessary deterrence against rogue satellites as well as intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The ADTCR, the other presentation from DRDO, is used for volumetric surveillance, detection, tracking and friend/ foe identification of aerial targets of different types. The radar is capable of detecting very small and low flying targets.