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India launches spy military satellite

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-04-21 09:29

NEW DELHI: India launched an Israeli-built military spy satellite on Monday as it strengthens its security system after last year's Mumbai attacks exposed glaring loopholes in the defense apparatus.

The spy satellite launch also highlights growing defense ties between Israel and India. Israel is now the second biggest arms supplier to India after Russia.

The satellite will help Indian agencies monitor the country's international borders and anticipate any troop build-up or infiltration attempts by militant groups, defence officials said.

"The launch was perfect and the satellite is in orbit," a spokesman for the Indian Space research Organization (ISRO) said by telephone from a southern Indian launch site.

The all weather spy satellite was capable of providing clear images throughout the year, he said.

India sped up the satellite launch after last November's Mumbai attacks, in which at least 166 people were killed by 10 gunmen, catching the country's security agencies completely by surprise.

Reuters