SOURCE: AFI
In a strategic move to safeguard its burgeoning space assets, Pakistan has reportedly initiated discussions with China to acquire Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missiles. This development comes in the wake of India’s successful ASAT test, known as Mission Shakti, which demonstrated India’s capability to neutralize satellites in low Earth orbit, thereby posing a potential threat to Pakistan’s space infrastructure.
Pakistan’s space program, while not as extensive as India’s or China’s, has been making steady progress, focusing on both civilian and military applications. Satellites are becoming central to Pakistan’s strategic operations, including communication, reconnaissance, and navigation. The country currently operates several satellites, with the most notable being the PakSat-1R for telecommunications and the PRSS-1 (Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite) for earth observation, which are crucial for both civilian and defense sectors.
The vulnerability of these assets to potential ASAT threats from neighboring India has prompted Pakistan to explore countermeasures. India’s ASAT test in March 2019, where it successfully destroyed a satellite in low Earth orbit, has heightened concerns in Pakistan about the security of its space-based infrastructure. This test not only showcased India’s technological prowess but also signaled its strategic intent in the space domain, particularly in the context of regional rivalries.
For effective deterrence and to ensure the protection of its satellites, Pakistan recognizes the necessity of developing or acquiring ASAT capabilities. This pursuit is driven by the understanding that in modern warfare, space assets are as critical as land, sea, and air forces. However, developing such capabilities domestically would be time-consuming and resource-intensive for Pakistan, given its current technological and economic constraints.
Thus, Pakistan has turned to its strategic ally, China, known for its advanced space and missile technologies. China conducted its own ASAT test in 2007, demonstrating its ability to destroy satellites with kinetic kill vehicles. The collaboration between Pakistan and China in defense technology, including joint missile and satellite projects, provides a feasible pathway for Pakistan to gain the necessary capabilities. Specifically, Pakistan would require long-range missiles, adapted for ASAT roles, to reach satellites in orbit, which involves complex technology including guidance systems and propulsion.
However, the introduction of ASAT weaponry into the region’s military equation raises concerns about the militarization of space, potentially contravening international norms aimed at keeping space a peaceful domain. The generation of space debris from ASAT tests is another significant issue, as it poses risks to all space-faring nations due to the potential for Kessler syndrome, where debris collisions create more debris, making space operations hazardous.