CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
The Government of India has recently accelerated the implementation of the Space-Based Surveillance-III (SBS-III) programme, a critical initiative aimed at significantly enhancing the nation’s military surveillance and strategic space capabilities. This move comes in the backdrop of rising regional threats and the growing need for advanced space-based intelligence tools.
Overview Of SBS-III Programme
Approved in October 2023 by the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the SBS-III programme envisions the development and deployment of 52 cutting-edge surveillance satellites over the next decade. The objective is to boost India’s capabilities in geospatial intelligence (GeoInt) and real-time monitoring of sensitive regions.
Of the total satellite count:
21 satellites will be designed, built, and launched by ISRO.
31 satellites will be developed by three private Indian aerospace firms, marking a significant step in public-private collaboration in India’s defence space sector.
Strategic Goals And Coverage
The SBS-III constellation is strategically designed to provide:
High-resolution surveillance across key adversarial regions including China, Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Reduced revisit times, meaning the satellites will be able to revisit and scan the same area at shorter intervals, allowing for near-continuous monitoring.
Enhanced detection of enemy activity such as troop mobilisations, airfield operations, and missile deployments deep within hostile territories.
This constellation is also being tailored to adapt to India’s evolving space doctrine, ensuring that India’s space-based military strategy aligns with modern warfare dynamics.
Technological Innovations And Satellite Capabilities
These satellites are expected to be interconnected using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, enabling autonomous data-sharing, cross-verification, and near-real-time analysis. Key features include:
Operation in both Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) to provide both high-resolution and wide-area coverage.
Resistance to hostile space tactics, including anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons, electronic jamming, and kinetic threats, particularly from nations like China with demonstrated ASAT capabilities.
The integration of AI will allow the satellites to:
Detect anomalies,
Track fast-moving objects,
Automatically flag threats to the armed forces,
Facilitate more precise decision-making in military operations.
Launch Timeline And Infrastructure
The first satellite under SBS-III is scheduled to be launched by April 2026.
The entire satellite constellation is expected to be in orbit by the end of 2029.
A pivotal element of this programme is the transfer of ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology to private industry. This will enable rapid deployment of satellites in times of conflict or disaster, enhancing national resilience and deterrence.
Defence Space Agency's Role
The Defence Space Agency (DSA), which was constituted in 2019 and operates under the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) of the Ministry of Defence, is spearheading the SBS-III initiative. The DSA acts as a coordinating body among:
Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force),
ISRO, and
DRDO.
It plays a central role in shaping India’s military space strategy, protecting its space assets, and preparing for future space warfare.
The project’s budget has been pegged at Rupees 26,968 crore, reflecting the government’s commitment to building an indigenous, technologically robust space defence infrastructure.
Conclusion
The SBS-III programme represents a decisive step forward in India's journey towards establishing a self-reliant and technologically advanced military space ecosystem. By leveraging the combined strengths of government agencies and private enterprises, the initiative is set to position India as a formidable space power in the Indo-Pacific region.
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