Following Operation Sindhu, India has intensified its efforts to improve satellite-based surveillance technology to strengthen the Indian Army. As part of this, India is set to launch 52 surveillance satellites based on artificial intelligence (AI) soon. Here is a news package about it.
ISRO has been launching various satellites for civil and military applications. In a significant move to enhance national security, India has embarked on the Space Based Surveillance (SBS) mission.
The SBS project, which aims to create land and maritime field awareness, was launched in 2001 during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime. The first phase of SBS 1 was to launch four satellites for surveillance: CARTOSAT 2A ((Cartosat 2A,)) CARTOSAT 2B ((Cartosat 2B)), Eros-B ((Eros B)) and RISAT-2 ((Risat 2)).
In 2013, ISRO launched six satellites in the second phase of SBS 2, namely CARTOSAT 2C, CARTOSAT 2D, CARTOSAT 3A, CARTOSAT 3B, microsat 1 and RISAT 2A.
India planned to launch 52 surveillance satellites over the next decade in the third phase of SBS 3 to intensify space-based surveillance amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
Existing satellites like CartoSat-2c provide satellite imagery of targets only once every four days. It is said that the SBS III satellites will transmit images in a manner that improves real-time surveillance.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Modi had earlier approved the third phase of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) mission in October. Of the 52 surveillance satellites to be built under the Rs 27,000 crore project, ISRO is building 21 satellites. The remaining 31 satellites are being built by three private companies.
These satellites will be launched into low-Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO). The satellite project will be managed by the National Security Council in collaboration with the Defence Space Agency of the Ministry of Defence.
India’s ambitious space-based surveillance programme, the Reconnaissance Satellite Programme (RSSP), will launch 52 surveillance satellites into low-Earth orbit (LEO). These satellites are designed to enable soldiers in different locations on the battlefield to communicate with each other using AI.
For example, a satellite in a high orbit can communicate with a satellite in a low altitude and exchange information to get more focused intelligence on a specific potential point. It has been said that these spy satellites will be used to monitor the borders with Pakistan and China and to monitor maritime activities in the Indian Ocean region.
These satellites will also monitor infrastructure construction by enemies on Indian borders, including the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the border with Pakistan. Moreover, these surveillances will help India respond immediately to any activities that may pose a security threat to the country.
As India’s military operation, Operation Sindh, continues in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, it has now intensified the process of launching 52 surveillance satellites.
It has been decided to launch the satellites next year or earlier, instead of the earlier deadline set for the end of 2028.
