India has bought a spy satellite from Israel with day-and-night viewing capability to boost surveillance capabilities in the aftermath of the Mumbai militant attacks, a report said Friday. The satellite, which can see through clouds and carry out day-and-night all-weather imaging, has been one of the long-standing demands of the Indian military, the NDTV news channel said.
The 300 kilogram (650 pound) RISAT 2 will be launched by Indias Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket in the nexxt few weeks, the report said Indian scientists were in the process of integrating the satellite and the rocket at the Sriharikota space port in southern India, it said. The acquisition was fast-tracked after the November 26-29 Mumbai siege in which 10 gunmen went on a shooting spree.