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Mint
12-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
India fast-tracks $3-billion spy satellite scheme following Operation Sindoor
New Delhi: India is looking to give its satellite-based surveillance capabilities a rapid makeover, as the country navigates a tenuous ceasefire with neighbour Pakistan after the worst hostilities seen since a war between them in 1971. The Centre has tasked three private firms–Ananth Technologies, Centum Electronics, and Alpha Design Technologies–to compress their satellite development timeline from four years to 12-18 months, according to three people aware of the matter. The satellites are now targeted to be ready by end-2026 or earlier instead of end-2028, the three people said, requesting anonymity due to the matter's sensitivity. One of the satellites–under advanced stages of development by Ananth Technologies–may even be ready this year itself, one of the people cited above said. It would be launched either aboard Isro's heavy rocket, Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3), or Elon Musk-backed SpaceX—depending on their respective mission schedules this year. Also read | Operation Sindoor: A doctrinal shift and an inflection point The soft orders to expedite the latest generation of surveillance satellites were issued from the ministry of defence (MoD) just before India commenced Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. The accelerated effort is part of the $3-billion Space-based Surveillance-3 (SBS-3) scheme, which was approved by the cabinet committee on security (CCS) last October with a net budgetary outlay of $3 billion subject to revisions. In this scheme, a total of 52 surveillance satellites are being built. While the three private companies are building 31 of these, the remaining will be built and deployed gradually by India's central space agency, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). 'It is a necessary move in light of such sensitive geopolitical interactions," one of the people cited above said, adding that the SBS-3 constellation will work as a crucial piece of infrastructure for India's national security, and is a prime example of the kind of large contracts that the Centre can offer private space firms. Emailed queries sent to the three companies, as well as the defence ministry—the nodal ministry that will access the satellites for national defence and security usage—did not receive responses till press time. Spy satellite builders The three private-sector companies—Hyderabad-based Ananth Technologies, and Bengaluru-based Centum Electronics and Alpha Design Technologies—are long-standing partners, suppliers and vendors of Isro, and have played key roles in previous surveillance satellites, as well as landmark Indian space missions such as the successful Chandrayaan-3. Ananth Technologies, led by former Isro veteran Subba Rao Pavuluri, was a key supplier of components to the Chandrayaan-3 mission. So, too, was Centum—led by its chairman, Apparao Mallavarapu. Ananth Technologies earned ₹270 crore in revenue in FY24. In the same fiscal year, Centum, which is publicly listed on the National Stock Exchange, reported ₹632 crore in revenue. In FY25 (nine months to December 2024), it reported revenue of ₹479 crore. The third company, Alpha Design, was wholly acquired by Adani Defence and Aerospace, which is a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, in April 2019. Alpha Design has been one of Isro's key partners in building and deploying the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), which seeks to replace the global positioning system (GPS) in India with NavIC, an indigenous navigation standard. The company reported ₹536 crore in operating revenue in FY24, as per data from credit rating agency, Crisil. Also read | Operation Sindoor: India repulses drone attacks as conflict continues All three companies are rated highly by credit rating agencies Care Edge and Crisil, based on large pending orders driven by Isro and the ministry of defence (MoD), among others. For space firms, internal government contracts are key. In July 2024, former Isro chairman S. Somanath told Mint on the sidelines of a space conclave in New Delhi that the Centre, along with Isro and multiple agencies across ministries, is working to create awareness of the capabilities that private space firms bring to the table, and how they can be tapped for cutting-edge purposes such as secure communications, data analytics and more. Industry veterans, too, believe that private firms can play key roles. Chaitanya Giri, space fellow at global think-tank Observer Research Foundation (ORF), told Mint that private space firms will continue to be preferred in large-scale, sensitive projects such as SBS-3. 'Each of these private players are already suppliers to the central space agency, which makes the manufacturing and eventual deployment of satellites for various purposes a project right up their alley," Giri said. 'In the long run, more such government projects will see India start to drive revenue to the private space sector in the same model as the rest of the world—despite them wanting to showcase the Indian space sector as an open market." Also read | Operation Sindoor: Tensions spark worry over kharif sowing in border states
First Post
21-04-2025
- Business
- First Post
US Planning to Close Embassies in At Least 6 African Nations: Reports Firstpost Africa
US Planning to Close Embassies in At Least 6 African Nations: Reports | Firstpost Africa | N18G US Planning to Close Embassies in At Least 6 African Nations: Reports | Firstpost Africa | N18G New reports reveal that the Trump administration is considering closing nearly 30 U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide — with many located in Africa. The move is part of a sweeping shake-up at the State Department, driven by the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency, with a focus on shrinking federal operations. In Africa, embassy closures are being considered in Eritrea, Gambia, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, and South Sudan. In South Africa, the U.S. may shut its consulate, while diplomatic missions in Somalia could face downsizing — despite their critical role in counterterrorism efforts. Closures are also on the table in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom — but in Africa, the impact could be far more profound. Watch this video for more. See More
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
US may shut dozens of diplomatic posts as part of global downsizing
Listen to article The Trump administration is considering closing nearly 30 United States embassies and consulates across the globe as part of a broader effort to reduce the federal government's overseas footprint, according to an internal State Department document obtained by CNN. The proposal includes the closure of 10 embassies and 17 consulates, with posts in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean identified for potential shutdown. Among those listed are embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan, and consulates in France, Germany, the UK, South Africa, South Korea, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The document also recommends a downsizing of US diplomatic missions in Iraq and Somalia—both key to US counterterrorism policy—and a reconfiguration of operations in larger countries like Japan and Canada, where consular services could be consolidated into 'specialized units.' The move reflects the administration's broader attempt to streamline foreign operations, a push being driven in part by the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency. The agency has advocated drastic measures to cut costs and shrink federal structures. It remains unclear whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has formally approved the closures. The document, prepared by the undersecretary for management, states that posts were evaluated based on security ratings, facility conditions, staffing costs, and consular workload. A State Department spokesperson declined to confirm the contents of the leaked document. 'I would suggest that you check with the White House and the President of the US as they continue to work on their budget plan,' said spokesperson Tammy Bruce. 'The kinds of numbers and what we tend to see is reporting that is early or wrong, based on leaked documents from somewhere unknown.' Officials say the closures would be offset by transferring responsibilities to nearby missions, and implementing "FLEX-style light footprint" diplomatic posts with limited staff in some countries. The proposed changes come amid budget cuts, reduced foreign aid, and a reshaping of global engagement strategy under President Trump's second term. Critics warn that diminishing the US presence abroad could hamper diplomatic influence and weaken support for American citizens overseas.
Saudi Gazette
16-04-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
US looking at closing nearly 30 overseas embassies and consulates
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is looking at closing nearly 30 overseas embassies and consulates as it eyes significant changes to its diplomatic presence abroad, according to an internal State Department document obtained by CNN. The document also recommends reducing the footprint at the US diplomatic missions in Somalia and Iraq — two countries that have been key to US counterterrorism efforts — and 'resizing' other diplomatic outposts. The proposed changes come amid a broader expected overhaul of the US' diplomatic agency as the Trump administration, spurred by the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency makes dramatic efforts to shrink the federal government. It is unclear whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signed off on the proposed closures. The document recommends closing 10 embassies and 17 consulates. Many of the posts are in Europe and Africa, though they also include ones in Asia and the Caribbean. They include embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and South Sudan. The list also includes five consulates in France, two in Germany, two in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one in the United Kingdom, one in South Africa and one in South Korea. The document proposes that the closed embassies' duties be covered by outposts in neighboring countries. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce would not comment on the internal document or plans to drastically cut the State Department. 'I would suggest that you check with the White House and the President of the US as they continue to work on their budget plan and what they submit to Congress,' Bruce said. 'The kinds of numbers and what we tend to see is reporting that is early or wrong, based on leaked documents from somewhere unknown.' The administration has announced ambassadorial nominees for only two of the embassies recommended for closure — Malta and Luxembourg. CNN reported in March that the State Department was moving to close some of the consulates listed on the internal document. Embassies and consulates serve as important outposts for the State Department. They provide services like visa processing and assistance for American citizens in need. The posts also collect information to send back to Washington, DC, and officials say they are an important diplomatic tool as the US looks to counter nations like China. Most consulates do not have a large workforce. The document, which says it is the State Department's undersecretary for management's recommendations for closure, notes that 'posts were evaluated based on feedback from regional bureaus and the interagency, consular workload, cost per USDH (US direct hire) billet, condition of facilities, and security ratings.' For the recommended 'resizing,' the document notes that the US missions in Japan and Canada 'could serve as a model large mission by consolidating consulate support into a specialized unit' in larger posts. It proposes 'FLEX-style light footprint posts with limited focus and staffing' in a number of countries, as well as 'dual-hatted leadership' in multi-mission posts, such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and UNESCO in Paris. — CNN
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump administration looking at closing nearly 30 overseas embassies and consulates
The Trump administration is looking at closing nearly 30 overseas embassies and consulates as it eyes significant changes to its diplomatic presence abroad, according to an internal State Department document obtained by CNN. The document also recommends reducing the footprint at the US diplomatic missions in Somalia and Iraq — two countries that have been key to US counterterrorism efforts — and 'resizing' other diplomatic outposts. The proposed changes come amid a broader expected overhaul of the US' diplomatic agency as the Trump administration, spurred by the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency makes dramatic efforts to shrink the federal government. It is unclear whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signed off on the proposed closures. CNN has reached out to the State Department for comment on the document. The document recommends closing 10 embassies and 17 consulates. Many of the posts are in Europe and Africa, though they also include ones in Asia and the Caribbean. They include embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and South Sudan. The list also includes five consulates in France, two in Germany, two in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one in the United Kingdom, one in South Africa and one in South Korea. The document proposes that the closed embassies' duties be covered by outposts in neighboring countries. The administration has announced ambassadorial nominees for only two of the embassies recommended for closure — Malta and Luxembourg. CNN reported in March that the State Department was moving to close some of the consulates listed on the internal document. Embassies and consulates serve as important outposts for the State Department. They provide services like visa processing and assistance for American citizens in need. The posts also collect information to send back to Washington, DC, and officials say they are an important diplomatic tool as the US looks to counter nations like China. Most consulates do not have a large workforce. The document, which says it is the State Department's undersecretary for management's recommendations for closure, notes that 'posts were evaluated based on feedback from regional bureaus and the interagency, consular workload, cost per USDH (US direct hire) billet, condition of facilities, and security ratings.' For the recommended 'resizing,' the document notes that the US missions in Japan and Canada 'could serve as a model large mission by consolidating consulate support into a specialized unit' in larger posts. It proposes 'FLEX-style light footprint posts with limited focus and staffing' in a number of countries, as well as 'dual-hatted leadership' in multi-mission posts, such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and UNESCO in Paris.
