To boost surveillance, Govt taps global firms for high-resolution satellite imagery
The initiation of talks with these satellite imagery providers comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor in May, where it has been inferred that China provided live inputs through satellite support to Pakistan. Senior Army officials have since said that when the DGMO-level talks were on, Pakistan flagged information about 'specific vectors' on the Indian side that were being primed and readied for action, likely from satellite inputs facilities by China.
'We are in talks with commercial satellite imagery providers. We have to deepen our surveillance measures,' an official told The Indian Express.
The objective of these discussions is to extend the surveillance envelope and be able to do real-time surveillance at the time of conflicts for more efficient military actions, officials said.
The move likely includes Maxar Technologies, which operates some of the world's most advanced Earth observation satellites that can capture images with 30-centimetre resolution, detailed enough to discern targets such as infrastructure, buildings, artillery gun systems and even vehicles.
When contacted by The Indian Express, Maxar's spokesperson said they 'don't comment on contract negotiations'.
While India's satellites, including the Cartosat and RISAT, have played a big role in helping defence forces to strategise, track enemy mobilisation and confirm strike impact, while maintaining real-time situational awareness which prevented any major damage to the country's military assets, these domestic satellites face some limitations in their capabilities.
The Cartosat-3 satellite was designed to offer resolution of up to 30-centimetre, but is claimed to provide good quality imagery at about 50 centimetres. Also, Cartosat-3 operates alone, which limits how frequently it can scan the same area, something that is crucial during fast-paced military engagements where the battlefield is limited to a specific sector. Visibility is crucial, which the Pakistanis are believed to have with Chinese inputs.
India's satellites, including the Cartosat and RISAT, have played a big role in helping defence forces to strategise and maintain real-time situational awareness, but there are some limitations in their capabilities. The move to rope in global players is aimed at plugging these gaps.
India is already working on upgrading its satellite capabilities and has fast-tracked deployment of 52 surveillance satellites under the SBS (Space Based Surveillance)-III programme after Operation Sindoor, to enable efficient and enhanced monitoring of land and sea borders, with stronger imaging and all-weather functionalities. 'They will start launching the satellites from next year onwards and the deployment of all satellites will be completed by 2029,' the official said.
In October last year, the Union Cabinet approved $3.2 billion for the SBS-III programme to develop next-generation satellites over the next decade. Under the programme, ISRO will manufacture and launch the first 21 satellites, while private companies will handle the remaining 31. The Defence Space Agency will oversee the operation of the newly launched satellite system.
Aanchal Magazine is Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and reports on the macro economy and fiscal policy, with a special focus on economic science, labour trends, taxation and revenue metrics. With over 13 years of newsroom experience, she has also reported in detail on macroeconomic data such as trends and policy actions related to inflation, GDP growth and fiscal arithmetic. Interested in the history of her homeland, Kashmir, she likes to read about its culture and tradition in her spare time, along with trying to map the journeys of displacement from there.
... Read More
Anil Sasi is National Business Editor with the Indian Express and writes on business and finance issues. He has worked with The Hindu Business Line and Business Standard and is an alumnus of Delhi University. ... Read More
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
44 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Can officer with no knowledge of English… effectively control executive post: Uttarakhand HC after ADM's response in Hindi
While hearing a matter regarding the validity of the family register for panchayat electoral roll entries, the Uttarakhand High Court recently questioned whether an Additional District Magistrate can 'effectively control' an executive position after he admitted he wasn't proficient in English. As per an order dated July 18, the division bench of Chief Justice G Narender and Justice Alok Mahra questioned the ADM, Vivek Rai, when he responded in Hindi. He was asked if he knew English, and Rai said that though he can comprehend the language while being spoken to, he cannot speak it. Taking a note of this, the order says the court directed the State Election Commissioner and the Chief Secretary to examine if an officer of the cadre of Additional District Magistrate, 'who claims to have no knowledge of English or in his own words inability to convey in English, would be in a position to effectively control an Executive post'. Rai is a senior Provincial Civil Service officer who has served as SDM of various areas before taking on the post of the ADM Nainital earlier this year. The court was hearing the matter regarding electoral roll preparations. It asked the assistant electoral registration officer whether an exercise had been carried out to authenticate the veracity of the entries of the family register, or whether any documents had been collected to ascertain the veracity of the claims made with the booth level officer during the enumeration programme. The officers stated that, apart from relying on the family register, there is no other material. The court said that the legislature has not considered the family register as a document that can be relied upon by the Electoral Registration Officer to finalise the electoral roll of each constituency. 'Despite this, the glaring fact which stares at us is the consistent submission of the learned counsel for the State Election Commission and the officers, i.e. the ERO and the AERO, that the only document that has been relied upon to include names of voters is the Family Register maintained under the U.P. Panchayat Raj (Maintenance of Family Registers) Rules, 1970,' it said, adding that if the sanctity of the family register as a valid document was of such a high degree, the legislature would have referred to it in the Uttar Pradesh (Registration of Electors) Rules, 1994, which came about after the 1970 rules. The court said that if this is being adopted for the preparation of the electoral rolls across the state, the legality of the exercise becomes 'questionable'. The court directed the State Election Commissioner and the Chief Secretary to appear virtually on July 28 to look into the issue. Aiswarya Raj is a correspondent with The Indian Express who covers South Haryana. An alumna of Asian College of Journalism and the University of Kerala, she started her career at The Indian Express as a sub-editor in the Delhi city team. In her current position, she reports from Gurgaon and covers the neighbouring districts. She likes to tell stories of people and hopes to find moorings in narrative journalism. ... Read More
The Hindu
44 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Frequent disruptions in Parliament harm Opposition more than government: Kiren Rijiju
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday (July 26, 2025) said that frequent disruptions in the House hurt the Opposition more, as they lose the crucial opportunity to hold the government accountable. The remarks came after the first week of the ongoing monsoon session was largely washed out due to repeated protests by Opposition MPs. Speaking at the Sansad Ratna Awards event organised by Prime Point Foundation, Mr. Rijiju recalled how bureaucrats sometimes express relief when Parliament is adjourned. "Let me tell you, officers are relieved when Parliament doesn't function because they escape the grilling. The government can be held accountable in Parliament. When the House runs, ministers face tough questions. When it adjourns within minutes, those questions don't even get raised. Opposition loses more than the government when Parliament is disrupted," he said. Also Read | Lok Sabha adjourned for the day amid uproar as Opposition demands discussion on Operation Sindoor "Those who stall the House think they are damaging the government, but in truth, they are weakening their own role in a democracy," Mr. Rijiju added. Reinforcing the importance of parliamentary accountability, the minister said, "In any democracy, the government must answer to the people through Parliament. That is why allowing the House to run is essential for a functioning democracy." Reflecting on his journey in Parliament, Mr. Rijiju said he never considered Opposition MPs as adversaries. "We are all colleagues. Before 2014, most of my parliamentary career has been on the Opposition benches. Political rivalries may exist, but there is no enmity," he said. Drawing from a quote by Winston Churchill, Mr. Rijiju said, "A new MP once asked Churchill about the people sitting across the aisle, and he said they were political opponents. But when asked about those sitting on his side, he said they were our political enemies. That is politics, but we are not enemies." Mr. Rijiju also said there is an undue burden on Indian legislators compared to their counterparts in developed countries. "There, one MP represents approximately 66,000 people. Here, it is over 20 lakh. They are not asked to fix drains or get someone out of jail. But our MPs deal with personal grievances, infrastructure and law enforcement issues and are still expected to perform in the House," he said. "Despite all this, they are often criticised. Every elected MP deserves respect, it is not an easy job." Recalling his own early experiences, Mr. Rijiju shared a humorous but telling anecdote. "The first time I met Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, I had gone to request a room for MPs who smoke. He scolded me, saying, 'This is your first meeting with the Speaker and this is what you've come for?' I got a good scolding that day and learned I should approach such offices with more purpose." He also reflected on how senior leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani set examples of decorum. "Back then, we would think twice before speaking because stalwarts were listening. Now disruptions begin on day one. Maybe social media has changed the game." Calling for more constructive media reporting, Mr. Rijiju said, "Earlier, journalists would arrive at 9 a.m. and cover parliamentary debates till night. Good speeches got coverage. Today, headlines go to who created the most ruckus. I remember Sharad Pawar once presented an excellent agriculture policy, but the next day, not a single paper mentioned it. So now, MPs chase headlines because good work is neither reported nor recognised." "Negative news drives TRPs, not constructive action. It is a vicious cycle — both the MPs and the media are trapped in it," he said. Rijiju congratulated all the recipients of this year's Sansad Ratna Awards, including Supriya Sule, Bhartruhari Mahtab, N K Premachandran, and Shrirang Appa Barne, who received special jury awards for consistent performance in the 16th, 17th, and the current Lok Sabha. "Whenever any parliamentarian is recognised for good work, we should all celebrate together, cutting across party lines," Rijiju said. National Commission for Backward Classes Chairperson Hansraj Gangaram Ahir took a swipe at the Opposition, saying, "Those who claim to be followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar bring disrepute to the country by speaking against it abroad".
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
44 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Operation Sindoor strikes sent clear message to Pakistan, says Army chief
Addressing a gathering on Vijay Diwas, the chief of army staff said a stern response to the adversary was the new normal established by India Press Trust of India Drass (Kargil) Indian army chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday said that the surgical strikes carried out during Operation Sindoor were a clear message to Pakistan that supporters of terrorism will not be spared. "Operation Sindoor was a message to Pakistan as well as a response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which was a deep wound for the entire nation. This time India did not only mourn but showed that the response will be decisive," Gen Dwivedi said at the Kargil War Memorial here. Addressing a gathering on Vijay Diwas, the chief of army staff said a stern response to the adversary was the new normal established by India. "The faith shown by the countrymen and the free hand given by the government, the Indian Army gave a befitting surgical response. Any power that tries to challenge the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of India or harm the people will be given a befitting reply. This is the new normal of India," he said. Gen Dwivedi said that during Operation Sindoor, the army eliminated nine high-value terrorist targets in Pakistan with zero collateral damage. "India attained a decisive victory by effective targeting of terror infrastructure in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The army targeted the terrorist infrastructure and foiled the other aggressive moves of Pakistan to attain a decisive victory," he said. Dwivedi said Indian gave peace a chance, but Pakistan resorted to cowardice. "The Pakistani action on May 8 and 9 was responded to effectively. Our army air defence stood like an impregnable wall which could not be breached by any missile or drones," he said. He said the Indian Army is on its way to becoming a force to reckon with in the world. "Rudra, all of brigade, is being established for which I gave an approval yesterday. Under this, we will have infantry, mechanised infantry, armoured units, artillery, special forces and unmanned aerial units at one place to provide logistics and combat support," he said. The army has formed a special strike force Bhairav Light Commando Unit, which is "always ready to surprise the enemy at the border." Dwivedi said, "Every infantry battalion now has a drone platoon. In the artillery, the Shaktiban regiment has been set up, which will be equipped with a drone, counter-drone, and loiter munition. Every regiment will have a composite battery equipped with these things." Recalling the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the silver jubilee celebrations last year, the military chief said the presence of top leaders shows that it is not only an army day but a festival for the entire nation. "The nation is safe due to the sacrifices made by the heroes at the icy heights. We remember their dedication and determination, and we bow to the brave heroes who laid down their lives so that we can live a peaceful life with dignity," he added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
