India Fast-Tracks Deployment of 52 Surveillance Satellites
(MENAFN) India is rapidly advancing the deployment of 52 new surveillance satellites, aiming to strengthen its space-based defense infrastructure, as reported on Monday by various media outlets.
The first satellite is expected to launch in April 2026, with the full constellation projected to be operational by the end of 2029, media reported. Valued at $3.57 billion, the initiative will enhance real-time monitoring capabilities and significantly boost border security. The satellite network will provide high-resolution imagery and enable faster revisit times, allowing the Indian army, navy, and air force to effectively monitor activities in hostile regions.
Officials from India’s space agency explained that the country plans to address emerging threats by deploying a variety of satellites across different orbits. These satellites will track troop movements and capture detailed images spanning thousands of kilometers along the borders with China and Pakistan. During its recent conflict with Pakistan, India is believed to have leveraged both indigenous and commercial satellite systems to pinpoint and destroy suspected terror camps, according to local reports.
The 52 satellites are being developed under the oversight of India’s Integrated Defense Staff, with the constellation set to operate across both low Earth and geostationary orbits. The network is designed not only as a strategic deterrent but also as a countermeasure against China's rapidly advancing anti-satellite technologies, which include kinetic weapons and electronic warfare capabilities.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, head of the Integrated Defense Staff, emphasized the satellite network’s vital role in identifying and tracking potential threats at early stages, particularly in high-risk zones such as missile launch areas, airfields, and deep enemy bases. He told media that the system would allow India to "detect, identify, and track potential threats" while they are still emerging. A significant feature of this project is the integration of private industry, with the Indian Space Research Organization planning to transfer its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology to private firms for rapid deployment in urgent situations.
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