GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Indigenization of Technology/Awareness in the Fields of Space/Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate.
Source: TH
Context: According to the CDS (General Anil Chauhan), the very nature of warfare is on the cusp of major transformation with space being used to enhance combat capabilities in land, sea and cyber domains.
| Transformation of Warfare | |
| Indication of this transformation:
|
Militarisation of space; Steady progress towards weaponisation |
| The aim of this transformation:
|
Developing dual-use platforms; Incorporating cutting-edge technology |
| What will aid in this transformation?
|
Expansion of NAVIC constellation; Providing agile space-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and; Ensuring secure satellite-assisted communications |
Initiatives by India towards the militarisation of space
- In 2019, India concluded the first table-top joint war game called ‘IndSpaceEx’ – run by the military and space scientists.
- Demonstration of India’s Anti-Satellite (ASAT) capability under Mission Shakti.
- Establishment of the new tri-service Defence Space Agency (DSA) – tasked with operating the space-warfare and Satellite Intelligence assets of India.
- Mission DefSpace was launched in 2022 for the development of innovative solutions in the space domain by the industry.
- Indian DefSpace Symposium, organised by the Indian Space Association (ISpA) and the DRDO under Mission DefSpace, to create a platform for all stakeholders who have a keen interest in boosting India’s military space capability and plans.
- Indian Space Association (ISpA) is a voluntary association of leading space industries established with the objective of providing advisory and advocacy support to the space industry in India.
Way ahead:
- The need to explore the field of miniaturisation of satellites and reusable launch platforms to mitigate cost challenges and accelerate the pace of augmenting India’s space-based capabilities.
- Enhancing space situational awareness capability to safeguard assets with counter space capabilities.
- Building resilience and redundancy in a space-based infrastructure.
- Working very closely with industry as well as academia right from the development stage.
Conclusion:
- Space is the future for all action and capabilities – the real force multiplier. Therefore, the time to invest more and prepare is now.
- “Victory smiles upon those who anticipate the changes in the character of war, not upon those who wait to adapt themselves after the changes occur.”
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