Latest news with #Space-BasedSurveillance
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
India To Fast-Track 52 Spy Satellites For Military Surveillance Amid China-Pakistan Threat
India will fast-track the launch of 52 military satellites under Phase 3 of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) programme to monitor China, Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean Region with sharper resolution and faster revisit cycles. The ₹26,968 crore project, led by the Defence Space Agency, includes satellites from ISRO and three private firms. IAF also seeks high-altitude pseudo-satellites. This effort comes as China deploys advanced space-warfare tools and boosts its own satellite fleet. Watch#india #spysatellites #operationsindoor #militarysurveillance #isro #china #pakistan #defencespace #iaf #modigovernment Read More
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Business Standard
17 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
52 satellites for border, ocean watch: India ramps up defence surveillance
India is accelerating the deployment of 52 defence surveillance satellites aimed at significantly improving its space-based monitoring across borders with China and Pakistan and throughout the Indian Ocean Region, according to a report by The Times of India. Triggered by lessons from Operation Sindoor, the move will enable deeper surveillance of enemy activity. A military space doctrine is also in the final stages of preparation, the news report said. Project timeline and scope Phase 3 of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) programme, approved in October 2023 by the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security, is set to cost ₹26,968 crore. It involves the construction and launch of 21 satellites by India's space agency Isro and 31 by three private companies. The first satellite is expected to be launched by April 2026, with the full constellation targeted for completion by the end of 2029. The Defence Space Agency (DSA), under the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), is leading the initiative, the news report said. Enhanced coverage and strategic edge The goal of SBS-3 is to achieve shorter revisit times and higher-resolution imaging across strategic areas in China, Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean Region. The doctrine supporting this initiative is also being fine-tuned, The Times of India mentioned. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force is pushing for three high-altitude platform system (HAPS) aircraft, essentially pseudo-satellites operating in the stratosphere for ISR missions. During Operation Sindoor (May 7–10), India employed satellites like Cartosat, alongside foreign commercial platforms, for tracking Pakistani military activity. Operation Sindoor In the early hours of May 7, during Operation Sindoor, the Indian armed forces launched coordinated precision strikes on nine terror camps located deep inside Pakistan. These camps were primarily linked to terrorist groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Following the Indian offensive, Pakistan retaliated with artillery shelling across the Line of Control and attempted to deploy drones for attacks. In response, India escalated its operations, striking key Pakistani military and air infrastructure, including the Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi and the airbase at Rahim Yar Khan.
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First Post
18 hours ago
- Business
- First Post
Eyes in the skies: Why India is looking to accelerate launch of military satellites
India is gearing up to launch 52 military satellites by 2029 to provide sharper surveillance. This move comes after India's Operation Sindoor highlighted the important role satellites play in modern warfare and is seen as a response to China's growing space capabilities read more India is taking a huge leap into the future — the future of modern warfare. In an attempt to ensure the country's security from external threats, the government is fast-tracking the launch of 52 defence surveillance satellites, particularly along its borders with China and Pakistan, and in the Indian Ocean Region. The fast-track— the first such launch will take place in April 2026 and all 52 will be deployed before 2029-end — comes after Operation Sindoor, which saw India use domestic satellites like Cartosat as well as foreign ones to track Pakistan's military movements. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But why is this significant? What does it mean for India? What is India's plan for its defence satellites? The Times of India has reported that the country is looking to launch a total of 52 defence surveillance satellites by the end of 2029. Of the 52, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will launch 21 satellites, while three private firms will develop and deploy the remaining 31. This will come at a cost of Rs 26,986 crore and is part of India's Phase 3 of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) programme , which was cleared by the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security in October last year. A source was quoted as telling Times of India, 'Work is underway to compress these timelines to launch the satellites faster into the low earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit. The three private companies that have got the contracts have been told to speed up building of the satellites.' The source was further quoted as saying, 'The aim of SBS-3 is to cover much larger areas of China and Pakistan, as well as the Indian Ocean Region, with shorter revisit times (interval between two consecutive surveillance sweeps of the same location) and much better resolution.' The faster India gets the 52-satellite constellation up in space the better,' another source was also quoted telling Times of India. What is India's Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) programme? The launch of 52 defence satellites is part of the third phase of India's Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) programme. In the first phase, launched in 2001, India deployed four satellites belonging to the Cartosat and Risat series to monitor the country's enemies' movements at the border as well as important military facilities, including supply depots, airbases, and cantonments. In 2013, India launched SBS-2 — a launch of six surveillance satellites, including Cartosat-2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, Microsat 1, and Risat 2A. And then last October, the country initiated SBS-3 to build new-generation satellites. According to IDRW, the notable aspect of this phase is the international cooperation, namely with France following the signing of a letter of intent last January on 'defence space cooperation'. This partnership aims at co-developing some of the surveillance satellites, enhancing technological capabilities and sharing expertise. Why does all this matter though? Fast-tracking the launch of the satellites, which come under SBS-3, will be significant for India's security. It will substantially boost the country's real-time monitoring. This is because military satellites carry advanced cameras and sensors that are capable of taking detailed images from hundreds of kilometres away. They can see through clouds, and zoom in on tiny details, making them the perfect eye in the sky. As space expert Girish Langrana told The Week, 'Military satellites can spot suspicious activity quickly. This early warning gives the military time to plan and respond.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is of crucial importance to New Delhi at a time when it faces tensions with China and Pakistan. A Pakistani Army soldier examines a building damaged by missile attack carried out by Indian armed forces in PoK's Muzaffarabad during Operation Sindoor. File image/AP In fact, Operation Sindoor highlighted the importance of defence satellites. The constellation of Isro satellites delivered continuous surveillance across terrain, borders, and hostile airspace, giving India an edge in the hostilities. Earlier, India had access to imagery of a target once in four days. However, the satellites being launched SBS-3 will address this issue by providing better imagery faster. As The Diplomat notes, up-to-date battlefield intelligence and the ability to provide secure inter-service communication will enhance the freedom of operational commanders to execute their missions effectively. Moreover, it is reported that the new satellites will also feature AI, permitting them to interact with each other, which, in turn, will make them more effective. Expanding India's space-based defence capabilities is also crucial as China and Pakistan are ramping up their military programmes. From just 36 satellites in 2010, China today has 1,000 in 2024, including 360 satellites dedicated to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. These satellites tracking aircraft, monitoring naval activity, gathering intelligence, and even experimenting with potential anti-satellite weapons. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistan, too, is ramping up its space-based capabilities, albeit with the help of Beijing. Its PRSS-1 (Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite), launched in 2018, is able to tracking land, water, and infrastructure changes. With inputs from agencies
India Today
a day ago
- Business
- India Today
India fast-tracks launch of 52 military satellites after Operation Sindoor
India is fast-tracking the launch of 52 defence surveillance satellites to enhance its space-based surveillance capabilities, particularly along its borders with China and Pakistan, and in the Indian Ocean Region. The Rs 26,968 crore project aims to provide real-time monitoring and improve border security. The initiative is a response to China's growing military space capabilities. Under Phase 3 of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) initiative, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch 21 satellites, while three private firms will develop and deploy the remaining 31. advertisement The first satellite in this constellation is scheduled to launch in April 2026, with full deployment targeted by the end of constellation will provide high-resolution imagery and faster revisit times to assist India's Army, Navy and Air Force in tracking enemy movements deep within adversary territory. Notably, the project marks a significant role for private industry, as ISRO plans to transfer Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology to enable rapid launches during of Integrated Defence Staff, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, recently talked about the strategic imperative of detecting threats at their source and said, 'We must detect, identify and track potential threats not when they approach our borders, but when they are still in their staging areas, airfields and bases, deep within an adversary's territory.'The Integrated Defence Staff is overseeing the project which will focus on both low Earth and geostationary orbits. The satellite network also serves as a deterrent and counter to China's evolving anti-satellite capabilities, including kinetic weapons and electronic warfare recent Operation Sindoor highlighted the value of indigenous and commercial satellite-based tracking.- EndsTune In
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor triggers India's space shield push with 52 defence satellites by 2029
Defence satellites : India is accelerating its space-based surveillance capabilities with the ₹26,968-crore Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) programme, aiming to launch 52 dedicated defence satellites by 2029, potentially sooner. This initiative, spurred by Operation Sindoor, seeks to enhance surveillance over China, Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean Region. The IAF is also pursuing high-altitude platform system (HAPS) aircraft for extended ISR missions. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India is set to fast-track the launch of 52 dedicated defence satellites following Operation Sindoor , which underlined the importance of 'deep' and 'persistent' surveillance over enemy territory, ToI reported. A comprehensive military space doctrine is also being finalised to support this expanded ₹26,968-crore Phase 3 of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) programme, which was cleared by the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security in October last year, includes the launch of 52 satellites — 21 to be built and launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and 31 by three private Indian companies. The Defence Space Agency (DSA), which functions under the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) of the Ministry of Defence, is leading the first satellite under this phase is expected to be launched by April next year, and the entire constellation is scheduled to be deployed before the end of 2029. A source told TOI that work is underway to 'compress these timelines' to launch the satellites faster into both low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit. 'The three private companies that have got the contracts have been told to speed up building of the satellites,' the source said.'The aim of SBS-3 is to cover much larger areas of China and Pakistan, as well as the Indian Ocean Region, with shorter revisit times (interval between two consecutive surveillance sweeps of the same location) and much better resolution. The space doctrine is also being fine-tuned,' the source this space initiative, the Indian Air Force is pushing for three high-altitude platform system (HAPS) aircraft. These unmanned aerial vehicles, or 'pseudo-satellites', can operate in the stratosphere for extended periods, conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The pursuit of HAPS by the IAF had previously been reported by Operation Sindoor, which saw high-intensity conflict with Pakistan from May 7 to 10, India relied on domestic satellites like Cartosat and also used commercial foreign satellites to track enemy military movement. 'We need to shorten our OODA (observe, orient, decide and act) loop. The faster India gets the 52-satellite constellation up in space the better,' another source told satellite ambitions also have a defensive dimension. China is rapidly building up anti-space capabilities. These include direct ascent anti-satellite missiles, co-orbital satellites, electronic warfare systems and high-powered directed energy weapons such as lasers that could deny or degrade another country's access to comparison to China's military space progress, the scale is stark. China's military satellite fleet has grown from just 36 in 2010 to over 1,000 in 2024, including 360 satellites dedicated to ISR at a seminar earlier this month, IDS chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit said there was an urgent need to expand India's 'surveillance envelope' and highlighted how critical 'real-time situational awareness' is during military operations. 'We must detect, identify and track potential threats not when they approach our borders, but when they are still in their staging areas, airfields and bases, deep within an adversary's territory,' he also pointed to China's decision in April 2023 to create a PLA Aerospace Force, calling it a sign of Beijing's recognition of space as the 'ultimate high ground' in modern warfare. 'Their satellites have recently demonstrated sophisticated 'dogfighting' manoeuvres in LEO, practising tactics designed to track and potentially disable adversary space assets. They have evolved from a 'kill chain' to a 'kill mesh' — an integrated network that seamlessly interweaves ISR satellites with weapon systems,' said Air Marshal Dixit.
