- A few decades back, the military strategy adopted by the developed, developing, and poor countries to safeguard the sovereignty of their respective countries was more conventional with great emphasis on land, air, and sea forces. Since the last two decades, the universe has evolved in terms of innovations, inventions, developments, and new introductions of tremendously advantageous cutting-edge technologies. In line with the fast-changing times, governments worldwide have adopted amazingly ever-improving technology-driven solutions completely altering the military equations.
PC: The Financial Express
- Of course, some of the most advanced countries like the United States of America, Russia, France, and China were always at the forefront of investing billions in the research and development of new technologies. One such impactful technology-driven sector is the thrust placed on space/satellite know-how. None of the countries would want to stay behind in this advanced technology that has completely altered the military strategies as well as equations. Mind you, many countries cannot afford the exorbitantly expensive space technology yet. But those who can are already pumping in billions to explore the immense potential this latest technology offers.
- As reported in newspapers, China, according to the US, has started providing geospatial intelligence to Russia in its war against Ukraine. Aside from the fact this marks Beijing’s increased involvement in the war on the side of Moscow, it also shows how critical satellite tech is to modern warfare. Note that from guided navigation of fighter jets and warships to precision targeting and gathering real-time intelligence, satellite tech is the backbone of modern militaries. This makes space the fourth domain of military operations after land, air, and sea. Case in point, in the early days of the Ukraine war, Russia tried to deny Ukrainian troops access to their Viasat satellite communications system by launching a cyberattack against the ground infrastructure.
PC: BW
- Subsequently, Ukraine also went to SpaceX and used its Starlink system for combat communications. All of this has made protecting one’s satellites and having the capability to disable enemy satellites vital. Further, a US intelligence report predicts satellites with radio-frequency jammers, chemical sprayers, and lasers that disable competition over the next decade. China is already launching unmanned space planes into orbit and adding AI capabilities to its satellites. The US now has a Space Force, the newest branch of its military. Where does India stand? Though India now possesses the ability to shoot down satellites, it has some ground to cover in developing 24×7 space awareness and integrating the armed forces with our space assets.
- True, GOI has established the Defence Space Agency and Defence Space Research Agency. Creating a military space complex involving universities, think tanks, civilian experts, and commercial space companies is imperative. We cannot afford to be lagging on this front.
