Military pushes for private participation in space, more Indian satellites. ‘Can’t rely on single entity’
Senior defence officials have called for accelerated private sector participation in India's military space programme, emphasising that India cannot afford to remain a follower in the strategic space domain.
The Indian military is pushing for a constellation of 52 dedicated military satellites, with nearly half — approximately 31 satellites — to be developed and launched by private space companies.
ISRO will design and launch the initial 21 satellites, while private firms such as Larsen & Toubro and Tata Advanced Systems are expected to manufacture the remaining satellites.
The programme, with an approved budget of approximately $3.2 billion, aims to bolster real-time surveillance, border monitoring, and inter-service coordination for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Officials stressed the need for speed and agility through intelligent integration of private industry, signalling a doctrinal shift in how India approaches sovereign space capabilities.
Indian Space Policy 2023 and Private Sector Liberalisation
India's Space Policy 2023, approved on April 6, 2023, marked a transformative shift by institutionalising private sector participation across the entire space value chain. The policy delineates distinct roles: ISRO focuses on advanced R&D and transitions away from manufacturing operational systems; IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) functions as a single-window clearance and authorisation agency; and NSIL (NewSpace India Limited) commercialises space technologies developed through public expenditure.
Key Details
- IN-SPACe was established in 2020 under the Department of Space as an autonomous body to promote and regulate non-governmental space activities.
- The government approved up to 100% FDI under the automatic route for manufacturing of satellite components and sub-systems.
- A dedicated Rs. 1,000 crore Venture Capital Fund was established under IN-SPACe for the space sector.
- India's share in the global space economy is currently below 2%; the policy targets a rise to 10%.
The military's push for private satellite development is the defence application of the Space Policy 2023 framework. The 31 satellites to be handled by private firms represent exactly the kind of operational system manufacturing that ISRO is transitioning out of, with IN-SPACe as the regulatory backbone.
Integrated Space Cell and Military Space Architecture
India's Integrated Space Cell (ISC), established in 2008 under the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), coordinates the use of space-based assets for military purposes across the three services. It functions as the nodal agency for utilising both civilian and military satellite resources for defence operations.
Key Details
- The ISC operates under the Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations).
- India currently lacks dedicated military satellites comparable to those operated by the US, Russia, and China; most defence space requirements are met through dual-use civilian satellites.
- The 52-satellite constellation would, for the first time, give India a dedicated military-grade orbital architecture.
- Anti-Satellite (ASAT) capability was demonstrated by India in March 2019 under Mission Shakti, conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The urgency expressed by defence officials reflects the gap between India's current dual-use arrangement and the dedicated military space infrastructure that peer competitors already possess. The private sector partnership is a force-multiplier for closing this gap faster.
Dual-Use Space Technology and Security Implications
Space assets serve both civilian and military functions — communication, navigation, earth observation, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). The militarisation of space is governed internationally through the Outer Space Treaty (OST) of 1967, which prohibits placement of weapons of mass destruction in space but does not prohibit conventional military satellites.
Key Details
- The Outer Space Treaty (1967) has 114 state parties, including India, the US, Russia, and China.
- Article IV of the OST prohibits nuclear weapons and other WMDs in orbit but allows military satellites for reconnaissance.
- The concept of "counter-space" capabilities — including jamming, cyber attacks on satellites, and ASAT weapons — is a growing security concern.
- China's rapid expansion of military satellites and demonstrated ASAT capabilities are a key driver of India's programme.
The satellite constellation's ISR focus directly addresses the security environment shaped by dual-use space capabilities of regional adversaries, making this a critical dimension of India's internal security and border management strategy.
- Approved budget for India's military satellite constellation programme: approximately $3.2 billion
- Total satellites planned: 52 dedicated military satellites
- ISRO's share: first 21 satellites; private sector's share: 31 satellites
- India's current share in global space economy: under 2% (target: 10%)
- Mission Shakti (ASAT test): March 27, 2019
- IN-SPACe established: 2020, under Department of Space
- Outer Space Treaty entered into force: October 10, 1967
- India's Integrated Space Cell established: 2008