India to Deploy Missile Defenses by 2010

India’s defense research agency this week unveiled plans to deploy the nation’s ballistic missile defense system by 2010, Voice of America reported today (see GSN, Dec. 6).

The announcement came from V.K. Saraswat, chief controller of the Defense Research Development Organization.  Defense officials said India plans to develop its own missile shield but has not ruled out buying systems from nations such as Israel, Russia and the United States.

India plans to test an interceptor missile and other missile shield technology in June 2008.

Defense analyst Bharat Karnad cautioned New Delhi against pursuing missile defenses along its proposed timeline.

“The technology is not mature yet,” Karnad said.  “Once the technology matures perhaps there is utility in having such a system.  But short of that, I think, the money can be used for other purposes.”

Karnad recommended that if India pushes ahead with its missile shield plan, it should rely on defense technology developed indigenously rather than purchasing equipment from an outside power.

“No country has, as yet, developed foolproof missile interdiction-interception technologies.  Then it's best to do your [research and development], continue doing it.  But otherwise build up your stock of missiles because a whole salvo of missiles can defeat any kind of missile defense anybody can put up, at least in the present,” he said (Steve Herman, Voice of America, Dec. 13).

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