By Chaitali Bag
With the unveiling of DefSat 2024, India’s defensive space capabilities have entered a new phase, with a strategic plan outlining upcoming readiness. At the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi from February 7th to 9th, 2024, an esteemed gathering of government agencies, military forces, lawmakers, space industry heavy hitters, tech pioneers, and diplomats took place.
This is the second in a series of exercises that will be held periodically and examine the space industry’s preparedness for emergencies and contingencies. The exercise is called the IndSpace Exercise and it is an interactive tabletop wargame that is based on scenarios and was developed in conjunction with respected Defence Think Tanks and DefSat knowledge partners CENJOWS, CAPS, CLAWS, and NMF. Joined by the Services, MoD, ISRO, DRDO, INSPACe, NSIL, NDMA, Niti Aayog, Industry, Startups, and Academics, the conference seeks to coordinate clear policies, forward-looking planning, and an interdisciplinary approach in order to catalyze immediate actions and chart a strategic roadmap. Fostering a contemporary and future-ready industry was the focus of this programme, which aimed to protect India’s interests and goals and was in line with the vision of the Prime Minister and the Defence Ministry.
DefSAT 2024 was a one-of-a-kind venue for meeting the revolutionary requirements specified for defence space capabilities. It becomes more than just an academic conversation; it becomes a rallying cry, providing a rare chance to explore decision-centric warfare, autonomous systems, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to the military sphere, including Mosaic Warfare concepts. With the backing of influential government agencies, DefSAT 2024 is set to be a meeting place for state-of-the-art seminars, conferences, and wargames, enhancing India’s military space capabilities. SIA-India’s Defence Space Committee Chairman, Lieutenant General PJS Pannu, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd)
In light of the fact that the nation is now experiencing Amrit Kaal, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan emphasised the need of constructing a robust Aatmanirbhar military space ecosystem. During the inauguration of ‘DEFSAT,’ General Anil Chauhan emphasised that the government has ambitious goals for the nation, ranging from space augmentation to exploration.
Space may be utilised as a force multiplier to improve combat capabilities in the conventional domains of land, air, sea, and cyber, according to CDS, highlighting the vitality of space for both humans and militaries in conflict. He urged everyone involved in the defence space ecosystem to protect the country’s space assets by strengthening counter-space capabilities.
The CDS underlined that the government is urging all parties involved, including new businesses, to build a trustworthy space ecosystem in the country. From what was likely only one startup in 2014 to 204 in the space business in 2023, that number increased by 54 percent. According to General Anil Chauhan, the nation’s investment in the industry reached $380.25 million in 2023, with an additional $123 million invested the previous year.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed by the Satcom Industry Association-India (SIA-India) and the Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) to strengthen collaboration and promote mutual advancement in the space industry. At the DefSat Conference & Expo, the parties formally sealed the deal.
Both the Indian Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Anil Chauhan, and the Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, were present for the signing of the MoU. Both countries are significant actors in the Indo-Pacific area, and this pact highlights the significance of their alliance. With the signing of the MoU, India and Australia have committed to working together to integrate space and defence plans, deal with pressing issues such as space debris management and enhance satellite technology.
This cooperation is an opportunity for these nations to cooperate on shared interests and is in line with the larger Indo-Pacific and QUAD alliances.
Through an exhibition and product presentation, the CDS also opened an Exhibition at the location, displaying numerous technology developments made by commercial space sector partners.
