India To Fast-Track 52 Spy Satellites For Military Surveillance Amid China-Pakistan Threat
India will fast-track the launch of 52 military satellites under Phase 3 of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) programme to monitor China, Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean Region with sharper resolution and faster revisit cycles. The ₹26,968 crore project, led by the Defence Space Agency, includes satellites from ISRO and three private firms. IAF also seeks high-altitude pseudo-satellites. This effort comes as China deploys advanced space-warfare tools and boosts its own satellite fleet. Watch#india #spysatellites #operationsindoor #militarysurveillance #isro #china #pakistan #defencespace #iaf #modigovernment
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Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Reliance Def ties up with US co for military aircraft MRO in Nagpur
Nagpur: After the move to make Falcon 2000 business jet at Nagpur, Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure on Tuesday announced plans to set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) depot for military aircraft and equipment at Mihan-SEZ here. If this plan works out, this would be the third MRO in Nagpur and first catering to defence sector. Reliance Defence — Reliance Infrastructure's wholly owned subsidiary — has tied up with the US's Coastal Mechanics Inc (CMI). It eyes massive business through life cycle extension orders for some of the ageing fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Reliance pegs the volume of business at Rs20,000 crore. The tie-up will enable it to cater to building new platforms and upgrading whole gamut of aircraft from British-made Jaguar, Russian MiG-29s, the legacy L-70 anti-aircraft guns to even Apache attack helicopters. The proposed military aircraft and equipment MRO will be part of the overall project. The plan is to first assess the market based on the Indian defence forces' requirements. The company would step-by-step create facilities for various systems on the basis of what the armed forces need. The company's Nagpur unit is expected to entail an investment of ₹500 crore and create close to 200 jobs as it opens. Reliance Defence has a land pool of over 180 acres in the Mihan-SEZ and earlier this month it announced plans to make Falcon business jet at Nagpur in collaboration with French aviation giant Dassault. Reliance Defence is also eyeing export market from its proposed unit here, said a source who is part of the development. The company aims to become one of the top three exporters of defence products. This would be the first-ever project where aircraft of multiple country origins would get an overhaul and life cycle extension. The MRO has a projected capacity to cater to over 100 Jaguar and MiG-29 or Bisons each, both in service for more than three decades with the Indian Air Force (IAF). Other than the latest assets like the Rafale or the LCA, the IAF continues to hold a sizeable fleet of older aircraft. These need obsolescence management through life cycle extension and the installation of the latest platforms. Reliance eyes a yearly business of Rs2,000 crore on this front, easily clocking Rs20,000 crore in a decade, said a source. This includes systems and aircraft with the IAF, as well as the Navy and Army, the source added. The plans are driven by a strategic shift of India from asset replacement to life cycle expansion. CMI has expertise in catering to old fleets and has successfully worked for the US department of defence. Managing the older fleet also has challenges. At times, even the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) stop certain sub-systems. This is where the Reliance facility aims to step in, the source said. As the MRO is proposed to take up regular overhaul, apart from providing a new lease of life, Reliance Defence does not see any direct competition with the IAF's existing setup — base repair depots (BRDs) spread across the country. It would only complement the existing ecosystem and fill up the gaps wherever required, the source added. CMI is an active vendor of the US Army since 1975, supporting armament and defence obsolescence management. It has completed thousands of contractual engagements for the manufacture and supply of spare parts needed for the direct utilisation of the weapon systems. It also has access to critical data by virtue of the DD2345 agreement for over four decades, said a note shared by Reliance Defence. Reliance Defence, on the other hand, has made a series of announcements on the defence front. These include its plans to make 155 mm shells, a key artillery ammunition, based in India. It also makes parts of the Rafale aircraft. Given the current geopolitical situation, the company sees a sizeable scope for domestic players in the defence sector, the source said. The two major companies of the group, Reliance Infrastructure and Reliance Power, are debt-free with a net worth of ₹33,000 crore, said a note shared by the company. Eyeing Defence Pie Once operational, Nagpur will have three aircraft MROs The first two, run by Air India Engineering Services Limited and Indamer Aviation, cater to commercial aircraft like Boeing and Airbus This would be the first military aircraft MRO, also planned in Mihan Reliance Defence already makes components for Rafael and Falcon at Mihan Nagpur Reliance model is on life cycle extension of legacy aircraft and systems The move gives a major fillip to defence industries in Vidarbha Falcon that would roll out from Mihan-SEZ would be the first business jet made in India Nagpur also has a unit making air bombs Reliance also runs a unit in collaboration with Thales for make aircraft systems
India.com
9 hours ago
- India.com
India Readies 52 Military Satellites For Space Dominance - Panic Loading For Pakistan?
India is preparing for a major strategic leap in space with a project that could potentially elevate the country to the ranks of global space superpowers. While the mission is yet to be launched, it is seen as a major step in enhancing India's military space capabilities. As part of this operation, India is gearing up to expand its satellite warfare infrastructure, strengthening its presence in space for military applications. The Indian government has planned to deploy 52 satellites dedicated to the armed forces. Of these, 21 satellites will be built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), while the remaining 31 satellites will be developed by private companies. In today's DNA episode, Rahul Sinha, Managing Editor of Zee News, analysed India's plan to become a superpower in space: Watch Full Episode Here: #DNAWithRahulSinha | अब अंतरिक्ष में भारत का 'ऑपरेशन सिंदूर'! भारत ने तैयार किया 'सैटेलाइट पावर' प्लान ये खबर पाकिस्तान को टेंशन जरूर देगी..#DNA #Space #Satellite @RahulSinhaTV — Zee News (@ZeeNews) June 30, 2025 The ambitious project comes with a five-year timeline. The first satellite is scheduled for launch in April next year, and the deployment of all 52 satellites is expected to be completed by 2029. The total cost of the project is estimated at approximately Rs. 27,000 crore. The effectiveness of satellite data in modern warfare was already demonstrated by India during Operation Sindoor, where Indian forces carried out pinpoint strikes on the headquarters of terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeT) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) using intelligence gathered through human resources and satellite surveillance. The operation was so impactful that Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitted that the Pakistani Army was only able to endure the Indian offensive because of satellite data provided by China. In an interview, Asif had acknowledged, "During Operation Sindoor, our army received satellite data from China, which helped us withstand Indian attacks. China, being a friendly nation, supported us by providing satellite-based intelligence." Today, satellites are no longer limited to surveillance and data collection. They now play a crucial role in guiding long-range missiles to precise targets. This is why all major global powers are investing heavily in military-grade satellite systems. A comparative look at military satellites shows: - The United States leads with 247 military satellites in orbit. - China follows with 157 satellites. - Russia holds third place with 110 military satellites. - Currently, India has 9 military satellites, placing it seventh globally, but once the 52-satellite plan is complete, India's space capability could become like that of superpowers like Russia. Historically, warfare evolved from land and sea battles to air warfare in the 20th century, and now, the new frontier is space. The strategic significance of military presence in space has been echoed by India's first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, who stressed the urgent need for India to strengthen its cyber and space warfare capabilities. He believed that India must quickly master technologies that can establish the country as a powerful space-faring nation.
NDTV
9 hours ago
- NDTV
India Nears Starlink Rollout as SpaceX Clears Regulatory Hurdles
India is on the cusp of a major leap in digital connectivity as SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service inches closer to operational status in the country. In an exclusive conversation, Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), which is India's space regulator, confirmed that most of the regulatory and licensing requirements for Starlink have been addressed. The final approvals are expected to be wrapped up in the coming days. The meeting between Dr Goenka and Gwynne Shotwell, who is President & COO of SpaceX, held during the latter's recent visit to India, focused on resolving outstanding issues related to authorisations. While the groundwork is nearly complete, Dr Goenka emphasised that several technical and procedural steps remain before the service can be launched. "Even after authorisation, it will take a few months for the service to become operational," he noted. Starlink is one of three major players preparing to offer satellite-based broadband services in India. Alongside OneWeb and SES, Starlink aims to bridge the digital divide by delivering high-speed internet to underserved and remote regions, including rural villages and mountainous terrain. Dr Goenka expressed optimism that the combined efforts of these providers will significantly enhance internet accessibility across the country. The potential impact of satellite internet in India is substantial. With traditional broadband infrastructure often struggling to reach remote areas, satellite connectivity offers a scalable and efficient alternative. The government's push for digital inclusion aligns with these developments, and IN-SPACe is playing a pivotal role in facilitating private sector participation in the space ecosystem. This development also comes at a time when India's space sector is witnessing rapid growth and international collaboration. The entry of global players like SpaceX into the Indian market underscores the country's strategic importance in the global space economy. While the rollout of Starlink in India is not immediate, the regulatory progress marks a significant milestone. As the final steps unfold, the promise of satellite-based internet bringing connectivity to the farthest corners of India appears closer than ever. Dr Goenka's remarks reflect a broader vision of inclusive digital growth, powered by space-based technologies and international cooperation.
