NEW DELHI (PTI): Underlining the need for plugging holes in the Outer Space Treaty, former IAF Chief Air Chief marshal S Krishnaswamy has called for a stronger United Nations policing to prevent space from being used to attack targets.
"India would like to appeal to international community to see that the holes (in Outer Space Treaty) must be plugged.
We also need a strong policing force in the UN. If somebody crosses the line, we need to bring down quickly," Krishnaswamy said here.
The former IAF chief was addressing a conference on 'Space, Science and Security: The Role of Regional Expert Discussion'.
Krishnaswamy said some gaps have been left in the treaty by its authors “and probably with a sense of purpose.
After all, law is very clever."
He said the treaty implicitly allows certain things for military activity, including transit of nuclear weapons like ICBM and IRBM and non-WMD, non-nuclear weapons can be used from space on targets in space or in space itself.
The former Service chief said the treaty also allows testing of all weapons in space and floating military bases.
And also, there is no ban on anti-satellite, anti-missile weapons as the treaty says outer space is free for all nation states.
"We all should get together and work for peaceful use of space. If something bad (from space) happens, it will be devastating. Indeed, the earth will burn of," he added.
Observing that India was living in a very difficult environment, he said, "The country needs a good space programme which is imaginative, special and that takes care of all our defence needs."
Holes in Outer Space Treaty should be plugged: Ex-IAF Chief
Article Posted on : - Jan 20, 2011
Other Related News
India, China defence ministers hold 'productive' talks in Laos; agree to work towards rebuilding mutual trust
India and China on Wednesday agreed to work towards a "roadmap" for rebuilding mutual trust with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calling for drawing lessons from the "unfortunate border clashes" of 2020 during talks with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun.
The Indian Air Force, in its flight trials evaluation report submitted before the Defence Ministry l..
view articleAn insight into the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition...
view articleSky enthusiasts can now spot the International Space Station (ISS) commanded by Indian-American astr..
view article