On April 22, 2025, the tranquil Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, a popular tourist resort in Jammu and Kashmir, witnessed one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in recent memory. According to the news sources, Militants aligned with Lashkar-e-Taiba opened fire on unarmed civilians, killing at least 26 and injuring dozens. The attack wasn’t just an assault on innocent lives, it was a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities in India’s border surveillance apparatus.
Space-based ISR
In a region as volatile and geopolitically sensitive as India’s northern frontier, particularly Jammu and Kashmir, space-based ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) technologies must form the backbone of a proactive defense posture. But to truly elevate its capabilities, India must look beyond legacy systems and embrace NewSpace technologies — the dynamic, fast-paced commercial space sector that is redefining access to orbit and data.
Why Space-Based ISR Is No Longer Optional
India’s borders are among the most challenging to monitor—high altitudes, dense forests, disputed territories, and constant insurgent threats. Ground-based monitoring has limitations in coverage, responsiveness, and terrain adaptability. In contrast, satellites can offer persistent, wide-area monitoring, penetrating cloud cover, darkness, and hostile topography.
The Pahalgam attack exposed gaps in real-time threat detection, multi-source intelligence fusion, and preemptive monitoring. A robust space-based ISR framework—especially one empowered by next-generation technologies—can change that.
The Supply-Demand Gap: More Than Just a Numbers Game
Despite over 200 Indian space startups in the ecosystem, only a fraction are currently defense-ready. Here’s why this gap is a concern:
- Delayed operationalization of NewSpace technologies in military programs
- Lack of dual-use design frameworks to convert civilian EO constellations into defense-grade assets
- Procurement inertia—current acquisition models still favor long cycles and established players over agile startups
As India’s strategic theaters—from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean Region—become more contested, we need faster, modular, and mission-specific solutions. Not blueprints. Not PowerPoints. HARDWARE. IN ORBIT. NOW.
How The Indian Military Can Realistically Leverage NewSpace
To move beyond strategic posturing and into operational advantage, here’s a clear, grounded roadmap:
1. Satellite Communications (SATCOM): Building Tactical Mesh Networks
- Collaborate with startups to deploy Low Earth Orbit / Medium Earth Orbit (LEO/MEO) or MicroGEO satellite platforms
- Implement “burst comms” systems for units operating in signal-degraded environments (mountains, bunkers)
- Enable edge computing on SATCOM platforms for real-time battlefield video compression, transmission, and decryption
Imagine Indian special forces near Pahalgam relaying drone feeds over encrypted LEO satlinks, instead of relying on line-of-sight radios susceptible to jamming.
2. Earth Observation (EO): Predictive, Not Just Reactive
- Deploy rapid-refresh, all-weather EO CubeSat or Small Satellite constellations
- Integrate hyperspectral imaging to monitor border regions for non-visible anomalies (tunnel networks, munitions storage)
- Fuse commercial and military imagery in a single Geo-Intelligence Dashboard accessible by multiple command layers
An EO refresh rate of 4–6 hours could allow defense analysts to track militant buildup in real time, days before attacks.
3. Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT): Securing the Skies and the Soil
- Accelerate NavIC militarization with encrypted L5 band adoption across all tri-services
- Use NewSpace GNSS augmentation satellites to plug accuracy gaps in high-altitude combat zones
- Equip UAVs and loitering munitions with NavIC-integrated, anti-jam receivers
In future border skirmishes, drones must operate independently of GPS. The military needs to own the timing and coordinates, not rent them from adversary-vulnerable networks.
Strategic Recommendations: Building a Military-NewSpace Synergy
To harness these opportunities, the Indian government must act decisively:
Policy Reforms & Procurement Fast-tracking:
- Encourage PPPs (Public-Private Partnerships) in space defense
- Mission-as-a-Service Procurement: Instead of purchasing satellites, buy capability on demand—be it imagery, bandwidth, or data analytics
Dedicated Space ISR Command:
- Empower the Defence Space Agency (DSA) with an operational mandate, budget, and R&D unit
- Establish a Space Command & Control Centre for real-time ISR coordination
Military Satellite Launch-on-Demand Capabilities:
- Collaborate with NewSpace launch startups for micro-launchers
- Ensure satellites can be deployed within 24–72 hours in crises
Integrate Commercial ISR with Defense Intelligence:
- Build a space data fusion center to ingest inputs from commercial satellites, drones, and SIGINT
- Decentralized Space ISR Command: Not just a central agency, but theater-specific space ISR cells that analyze and act on near-real-time satellite feeds.
Conclusion: No More Delays, No More Excuses
In a world where data is the battlefield and where space is the high ground, India can no longer rely solely on traditional surveillance and slow procurement cycles.
By embracing the agility and innovation of NewSpace, India can leapfrog legacy limitations and create a border control apparatus that is smart, predictive, and preemptive. The path forward lies in partnerships, investment, and a visionary doctrine that places space at the heart of national security.
The time to act is not tomorrow, but today.
