India to Launch 52 Defence Satellites Post Operation Sindoor
In a decisive response to lessons drawn from Operation Sindoor, the Indian government has approved a major plan to launch 52 dedicated defence surveillance satellites by the end of 2029. This massive effort, under the ₹26,968 crore Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) Phase 3 initiative, marks India’s most ambitious military space push yet—aimed at ensuring persistent, high-resolution monitoring across adversary territories, especially China, Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean Region.
The satellite constellation, to be jointly developed by ISRO and private Indian aerospace firms, is designed to vastly improve real-time intelligence and response capability for the Indian Armed Forces. While ISRO will handle 21 of the launches, the remaining 31 satellites will be built and launched by private companies using transferred small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV) technology.
Strategic Shift After Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor, India’s high-stakes military operation earlier this year, exposed gaps in real-time satellite surveillance during high-tempo conflict. The mission relied heavily on satellite imagery for troop movement detection and battle damage assessment, prompting the Ministry of Defence to call for enhanced autonomous capability.
Defence officials emphasized the need for India to detect and monitor threats deep inside adversary territory—long before they reach Indian borders. The upcoming constellation will operate in both Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO), ensuring fast revisit times, broader coverage, and high-resolution imagery even in electronic warfare environments.
First Satellite Launch in April 2026
The first launch under this project is expected in April 2026, with full deployment expected by 2029. The satellites will feature advanced sensors for infrared tracking, radar imaging, and electronic intelligence collection. A dedicated command node under the Defence Space Agency will oversee data integration and dissemination to Army, Navy, and Air Force formations in near real-time.
India’s Space Shield Against Hostile Eyes
With increasing regional threats, the satellite shield will also provide resilience against potential anti-satellite strikes. The system is designed to reduce India’s dependency on foreign surveillance data and ensure indigenous capability to track threats across land, air, sea, and space.
This initiative represents a significant leap in India’s space-warfare preparedness. It is also expected to boost private sector participation in defence space technology, with major firms gearing up to support rapid prototyping and production.
