India possesses a 50-plus-strong diverse satellite fleet dedicated to communication, earth observation, navigation (NavIC) and scientific research.
While the armed forces directly operate 10-12 of these, the entire national constellation can be leveraged for defence during heightened conflict situations.
As highlighted earlier by a former ISRO chairman, nearly any satellite equipped with a camera possesses inherent surveillance potential, underscoring the dual-use nature of these space assets.
Recognising space as a critical “fourth dimension” of warfare, India has developed significant capabilities.
In 2019, under ‘Mission Shakti’, India successfully demonstrated its anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon capability by destroying one of its own satellites in low-earth orbit with a ground-launched missile.
This complex feat placed India among a select group of nations (including the US, China and Russia) with proven ASAT technology.
Beyond direct missile attacks, India’s space capabilities offer a range of potential applications in conflict.
Surveillance: Utilising earth observation and other kinds of satellites for intelligence gathering.
Electronic warfare: Jamming or degrading enemy satellite transmissions.
Cyber warfare (spoofing): Targeting navigation satellite systems to broadcast false position, navigation and timing (PNT) data, potentially disrupting enemy logistics and guidance systems.
Kinetic attacks: Theoretically using a low-cost or end-of-life satellite to collide with and disable an adversary’s satellite, though this is practically challenging due to extensive space monitoring and the target’s ability to manoeuvre.
Protecting India’s assets, particularly the indigenous NavIC navigation system, is crucial.
NavIC, currently maintained by four fully operational satellites (with others providing messaging services), is increasingly integrated into Indian defence platforms, vehicles and missile systems.
While officials note there is redundancy, and even three satellites can provide the needed data, the system remains vulnerable to spoofing attempts, which are a recognised threat globally.
Despite many advancements, India’s satellite fleet remains considerably smaller than that of the US or neighbouring China. The government plans to significantly enhance its space-based surveillance infrastructure, aiming to launch 52 satellites over a 10-year period.
In a setback, however, the launch of a radar imaging satellite, RISAT 1B, on May 18 could not be accomplished due to a technical failure.
Meanwhile, India is fostering international collaboration, as evident from the letter of intent signed with France to partner on space defence matters, including the potential development of dedicated military satellites.
This signifies a clear intent to bolster India’s capabilities in the vital domain of space security.
(The writer is an independent journalist based in Chennai)