NEW DELHI, April 20 (APP): India on Monday launched an all‑weather Israeli‑built spy satellite to peep into neighbours including Pakistan. The PSLV‑C12 rocket manufactured by Indian Space and Research Organisation lifted the surveillance satellite at 6.45 am from the  spaecport in Srikarikota in Orissa state and placed its first Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT2) and micro‑educational satellite ANUSAT into orbit about 19 minutes later in a textbook launch, it was officially said.

Besides surveillance in the neighbouring countries round‑the‑clock, the satellite will also help in anti‑infiltration and anti‑terrorist operations.

The ISRO Chairman G. Madhavan Nair said RISAT2 would be a good asset to national resources and “I am sure it is going to serve the country well.”

It will also help in mapping and managing natural disasters in India.

Media reports said the RISAT2 uses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), equipped with many antennas, to receive signals which are processed into high‑resolution pictures.

The SAR developed by Israel Aerospace Industries is equipped with defence capabilities. The SAR payload can take images during day, night and in all weather conditions, including under cloud cover, a capability that Indian satellites do not have.

India has launched so far launched 30 satellites 14 for India and 16 for other countries since 1993.