In News:

Building on critical lessons from Operation Sindoor, where satellite surveillance played a pivotal role in precision military responses, the Union Government has decided to fast-track the launch of 52 dedicated surveillance satellites. The move is aimed at enhancing real-time, all-weather, and round-the-clock monitoring of India’s land and maritime borders, particularly with China and Pakistan.

The decision comes amid growing emphasis on space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to counter modern threats, including drones and hypersonic weapons.

SBS-III Programme: Overview

The Space-Based Surveillance-III (SBS-III) programme was approved in October 2023 by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by the Prime Minister. It is India’s most ambitious defence space project to date.

Key Features of SBS-III:

• Total Satellites: 52 dedicated military satellites
  • ISRO: Will build and launch 21 satellites
  • Private Sector: Will develop 31 satellites
• Launch Timeline:
  • First launch by April 2026
  • Full constellation targeted by end of 2029
• Project Cost: ?26,968 crore (approx. $3.2 billion)
• Supervising Agency:Defence Space Agency (DSA) under the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), Ministry of Defence

Strategic Objectives and Capabilities

• Surveillance Reach and Coverage
  • Wider coverage of China, Pakistan, and Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
  • Reduced revisit times: Faster and more frequent imaging of sensitive areas
  • Capability to monitor airfields, military bases, and staging grounds deep inside adversary territory
• Operational Orbits
  • Satellites to operate in both Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) for layered coverage
  • Designed to counter China’s anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities including kinetic and electronic warfare systems

Technology and Innovations

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration
  • Satellites will use AI-powered decision-making to enhance image processing, target detection, and threat identification
  • Ability to interact with each other and form a Geo-Intelligence (GeoInt) network for real-time intelligence sharing
• Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV)
  • ISRO to transfer SSLV technology to private players
  • Enables rapid satellite deployment during emergencies, ensuring strategic agility and resilience

Lessons from Operation Sindoor

During Operation Sindoor, Indian defence forces used satellite-based surveillance to track drone and missile trajectories, providing precise actionable intelligence. This success underscored the need for:

• High-resolution radar imaging
• Day-night and all-weather capabilities
• Faster intelligence turnaround time

These operational insights directly influenced the SBS-III mission design and its urgency.

Defence Space Agency (DSA)

• Established in 2019, replacing the Integrated Space Cell
• Operates under the Ministry of Defence’s Integrated Defence Staff (IDS)
• Coordinates with ISRO, DRDO, and Armed Forces on:
  • Space warfare strategy
  • Protection of Indian space assets
  • Integration of ISR data with battlefield operations