The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has granted approval for Phase III of the Space Based Surveillance (SBS) mission aimed at improving land and maritime domain awareness for both civilian and military applications. This significant project will be managed by the National Security Council Secretariat in collaboration with the Defence Space Agency under the Ministry of Defence.
Although the government has yet to make an official announcement, sources indicate that the CCS has greenlit the launch of at least 52 satellites in both low Earth and geostationary orbits for surveillance purposes. The total investment for this ambitious project is estimated at ₹26,968 crore. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will construct and launch 21 satellites, while 31 satellites will be built by private companies.
Historical Context of the SBS Mission
The SBS mission traces its origins back to the Vajpayee government in 2001, when SBS 1 was initiated, launching four surveillance satellites: Cartosat 2A, Cartosat 2B, Eros B, and Risat 2. Phase II, which commenced in 2013, added six more satellites to the program, including Cartosat 2C, Cartosat 2D, Cartosat 3A, Cartosat 3B, Microsat 1, and Risat 2A. The newly approved SBS 3 phase signifies India’s commitment to launching 52 satellites over the next decade, enhancing its surveillance capabilities.
Enhanced Military Capabilities
Under the SBS 3 initiative, the three branches of the Indian armed forces will receive dedicated satellites tailored for their respective land, sea, and air-based missions. Earlier this year, India signed a letter of intent with France for the joint construction and launch of military satellites, highlighting its strategic focus on acquiring advanced capabilities.
This initiative is particularly crucial in the context of the Indo-Pacific region, where India seeks to enhance its ability to detect enemy submarines and monitor infrastructure developments by adversaries along its land and sea borders.
Additionally, the SBS 3 mission will be supported by India’s acquisition of 31 Predator drones from U.S.-based General Atomics. These drones are known for their advanced surveillance capabilities, further bolstering India’s military reconnaissance efforts.
In a testament to India’s growing prowess in space, the country successfully demonstrated its anti-satellite capabilities in March 2019, when an Indian missile successfully destroyed a live satellite in orbit. This significant achievement underscores India’s intent to strengthen its position in the realm of space-based surveillance and defense.
Sources By Agencies