India Accelerates Launch of 52 Satellites for Enhanced Military Surveillance

Strengthening Military Operations Through Satellite Surveillance

India's military operation was notably successful due to the 'deep' and 'continuous' surveillance of enemy territories during Operation Sindoor. This military engagement provided valuable lessons and insights into future requirements, prompting the Indian government to expedite the launch of 52 dedicated satellites for its armed forces. Additionally, a comprehensive military space doctrine is currently being finalized, alongside plans to establish a protective shield for these satellites.

The Indian government is rapidly advancing the launch process for these 52 dedicated satellites, which is being executed under the leadership of the Defence Space Agency (DSA) and falls under the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) of the Ministry of Defence. It is worth noting that the third phase of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) program received approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by the Prime Minister, last October, with an estimated cost of ₹26,968 crores. This initiative involves the construction and launch of 21 satellites by ISRO and 31 by three private companies.

Read More: Pakistan Should Not Test India's Resolve

The first of these satellites is scheduled for launch by April next year, with all 52 expected to be operational in space by the end of 2029. According to media reports, efforts are underway to expedite the timeline for sending these satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit. The three private companies contracted for this project have been instructed to accelerate the satellite manufacturing process. The third phase of the SBS program aims to cover significant areas of China and Pakistan, as well as the Indian Ocean region, enabling quicker surveillance and improved image quality.

Simultaneously, the military space doctrine is being finalized. The Air Force is in the process of acquiring three High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) aircraft, which are unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) or 'artificial satellites' designed to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in the stratosphere for extended periods. During Operation Sindoor, India utilized both domestic satellites like Cartosat and foreign commercial satellites to monitor military activities in Pakistan.

Furthermore, the Indian government is also working on creating a protective shield for its satellites, as China is developing direct ascent anti-satellite missiles, co-orbital satellites, electronic warfare equipment, and high-powered lasers as directed energy weapons to prevent other nations from accessing space. China's military space program has expanded from just 36 satellites in 2010 to over 1,000 by 2024, with 360 of these dedicated to ISR missions.

Earlier this month, during a seminar, IDS chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit emphasized the need to enhance India's surveillance capabilities, stating that 'real-time situational awareness' plays a crucial role in conflicts. He remarked, 'We should not detect potential threats only when they reach our borders, but rather track them from their staging areas and airfields within enemy territory.'

It is noteworthy that China established the PLA Aerospace Force last April, indicating its recognition of space as the 'ultimate high ground' in modern warfare. Air Marshal Dixit pointed out that Chinese satellites have recently conducted complex 'dogfighting' exercises in LEO, highlighting their strategy to track and neutralize enemy space assets. They have transitioned from a 'kill chain' to a 'kill mesh,' an integrated network that seamlessly connects ISR satellites with weapon systems.