Space-tech companies get an opening as India seeks more eyes in the sky
After
Operation Sindoor
, there is a growing push to enhance India's satellite-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Lt Gen AK Bhatt (Retd), Director General of the
Indian Space Association
(ISpA), told ET that while India currently operates around 10–11
defence satellites
, mostly from the
Cartosat
and RISAT series which are one of the bests—"revisit times are long," and there is an urgent need for more satellites to ensure persistent coverage.
"The
Space Based Surveillance
(SBS-III) program is critical, but with a 4–5 year timeline, there's pressure to fast-track it and reduce dependence on foreign or commercial satellite data after the escalations between the two countries," Bhatt said who was also former director general of military operation (DGMO), who oversaw the Doklam crisis.
He added that the upcoming 52 satellites under SBS-III will be owned and operated by India, offering real-time access to imagery from both low Earth and geostationary orbits.
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The private sector will play a big role in the surveillance program as 31 satellites will be made by three firms. The remaining 21 will come from the
Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO).
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Experts said accurate satellite imagery plays a critical role in identifying enemy locations, planning operations, and confirming if the target has hit the intended spot. It serves as a reliable layer of intelligence even during active conflicts, complementing drones and ground-based radars, they explained.
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