Space-Based Surveillance: India’s Unblinking Eye And Its New Bodyguards
Picture this: A constellation of high-tech sentinels orbiting Earth, not just watching the world below but vigilantly shielding their kin from unseen dangers. These aren't mere tools for mapping terrain or relaying signals—they're the vanguard of a new era in space exploration, where protection is as crucial as innovation. For India, this shift marks a bold leap from relying on satellites as silent witnesses to empowering them with their own defenders.
In 2024, an intriguing encounter unfolded in the vast expanse of orbit. A foreign satellite—its origins undisclosed—edged perilously close to one of India's key assets, a mere kilometre apart. This incident, first highlighted by Bloomberg News in September 2024, wasn't just a close call; it was a wake-up call that propelled India into rethinking its space strategy. Rather than viewing it solely as a threat, it underscored an opportunity: to pioneer advanced protective technologies that could redefine global space norms.
Enter the Guardian Satellites: India's Innovative Shield
At the heart of this evolution are guardian satellites, engineered to safeguard vital orbital infrastructure. These aren't aggressive warriors but sophisticated protectors, designed with precision and purpose. Bloomberg's insights reveal India is developing two variants. The first boasts a robotic manipulator—a feat of engineering that allows it to gently intercept and redirect intrusive spacecraft, ensuring safe distances without escalation. The second operates in coordinated swarms, forming dynamic barriers around threats, much like a synchronized team herding an unwelcome intruder away from a VIP event, all at altitudes exceeding 500 kilometres.
This ingenuity stems from a blend of necessity and creativity. By focusing on non-destructive methods, India's approach emphasizes de-escalation, potentially setting a standard for responsible space conduct amid growing congestion in orbit.
Catalysts for Change: Lessons from Recent Events
India's pivot wasn't born in isolation. The 2024 orbital rendezvous highlighted vulnerabilities, but it was the previous year's border tensions with Pakistan that truly accelerated progress. Over those intense four days, satellites became indispensable for real-time intelligence, guiding troop deployments and radar placements. Yet, a defence ministry-affiliated research group noted in May that China allegedly extended satellite assistance to Pakistan, enhancing their defensive capabilities. This revelation transformed space from a neutral domain into a strategic multiplier, prompting India to fortify its assets proactively.
Anil Bhatt, ex-Chief of Military Operations and now Director General of the Indian Space Association, emphasizes: "Interference or disruption of satellites is a tangible risk." He advocates for a balanced arsenal of protective measures, both tangible and intangible, to secure orbital superiority. For India, this means not just reacting to risks but innovating ahead of them, turning potential weaknesses into strengths.
Global Parallels: A Shared Quest for Orbital Resilience
India joins a select group of nations investing in orbital guardianship, yet its path is uniquely collaborative and tech-driven. China leads with over 1,100 satellites, as per N2YO.com, and has demonstrated agile "manoeuvre-capable" spacecraft, per a US Space Force statement to CNN in March 2025. These can shadow or interact with others, showcasing advanced propulsion and control systems. Japan, meanwhile, is prototyping defences against adversarial "interceptor" satellites, as per last year's media reports. The European Defence Fund has explored similar initiatives since 2023, reflecting a worldwide recognition that space assets demand robust safeguards.
What sets India apart is its emphasis on indigenous innovation and partnerships. With just over 100 satellites currently, India leverages quality over quantity, integrating cutting-edge AI and robotics to punch above its weight.
The Broader Vision: Building a Self-Reliant Space Ecosystem
This guardian programme is a cornerstone of India's expansive space roadmap. Bloomberg indicates advanced negotiations with domestic startups to deploy the inaugural test satellite in early 2026, with further missions slated for late 2025 or beyond. Once validated, state entities will amplify production, fostering a vibrant ecosystem.
Complementing this is the accelerated Space-Based Surveillance initiative, aiming for over 50 advanced reconnaissance satellites offering round-the-clock, all-weather imaging. Ambitious targets envision up to 150 units forming an unblinking orbital network over sensitive borders.
On the ground, India is establishing dedicated tracking hubs domestically and abroad, enhancing real-time monitoring of foreign orbits. Discussions with allies like France and the UAE for collaborative tracking, as confirmed by Bloomberg sources, signal a diplomatic dimension—turning space protection into a platform for international cooperation.
Redefining Space: From Exploration to Empowerment
Once a realm for peaceful pursuits like scientific discovery and global connectivity, space now demands active stewardship. Nations are deploying protective fleets, surveillance arrays, and adaptive systems, transforming the cosmos into a domain of strategic empowerment.
India's journey exemplifies this transition. By improvising on traditional satellite roles, it's not merely defending assets but advancing technology that could inspire global standards for orbital harmony. In this new chapter, India's guardians aren't just bodyguards—they're pioneers, ensuring the stars remain a frontier for progress, not conflict.
(Girish Linganna is an award-winning science communicator and a Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst. He is the Managing Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany.)
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or position of the publication, its editors, or its management. The publication is not responsible for the accuracy of any information, statements, or opinions presented in this piece.
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Karnataka bypolls: BJP criticism driven by ‘fear of defeat’, says CM Siddaramaiah
Bagalkote (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said the BJP’s criticism of the Congress government reflects a "fear of defeat" ahead of the April 9 bypolls.
He added that the state’s guarantee schemes are an investment in social commitment and inclusive development.
Speaking to reporters in Bagalkote, he expressed confidence that the Congress would win both bypoll-bound constituencies, adding that the campaign has received an unprecedented response, surpassing expectations.
The bypolls were necessitated by the demise of sitting Congress MLAs Shamanur Shivashankarappa and H Y Meti, who represented the Davanagere South and Bagalkote constituencies, respectively.
"We have provided schemes for people belonging to all castes, religions, and languages. The BJP is opposing the guarantee schemes out of fear of defeat, but these guarantees are an investment that delivers social commitment. This, too, is development," Siddaramaiah said.
The guarantee schemes are ‘Shakti’, ‘Gruha Lakshmi’, ‘Gruha Jyoti’, ‘Yuva Nidhi’ and ‘Anna Bhagya’.
He added that development is not limited to physical infrastructure.
"Development does not mean only roads, bridges, and buildings. It also includes providing economic and social security," he said.
The CM stated that the BJP has opposed welfare measures since their inception and rejected claims that the state’s finances are under strain.
Referring to remarks by PM Narendra Modi and others, he said, "They (BJP leaders) have been claiming that the state will go bankrupt. However, guarantee schemes have been in force for the past three years, and till March 24, 2026, Rs 1.31 lakh crore has been spent on them." He maintained that spending on key sectors has not been curtailed.
"While Rs 42,000 crore was spent last year, more than Rs 44,000 crore is being spent this year," Siddaramaiah said, adding that expenditure on irrigation, public works, rural development, drinking water, policing, and SCSP/TSP schemes has not been reduced.
Development works have not slowed down, he added.
Accusing the BJP of running a smear campaign, Siddaramaiah said that allegations of excessive borrowing were "false propaganda".
"Saying that I have taken excessive loans is a blatant lie. We have not violated the norms of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and have maintained fiscal discipline," Siddaramaiah said.
Further, the CM advised BJP leaders to properly read the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
"The fiscal deficit should be within 3 per cent of GDP, and debt within 25 per cent of GDP. Our debt stands at 24.94 per cent, so it has not exceeded the limit," he said.
Stressing adherence to fiscal norms, he added that no state can borrow indiscriminately, as borrowing limits are fixed by the Union Finance Ministry.
He also claimed that Karnataka’s economic performance is stronger than that of the Centre.
Stating that the Centre’s GDP growth is 7.14 per cent while Karnataka’s is 8.1 per cent, Siddaramaiah said the state has outperformed the union government.
Drawing a comparison on public debt, he said that during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and cumulatively since Independence, total debt stood at Rs 53.11 lakh crore, which has risen to Rs 218 lakh crore by March 2026.
He alleged that in the past 12 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone has added Rs 165 lakh crore in debt.
The CM criticised the BJP’s track record in the state, saying it failed to deliver on its promises despite being in power for nine years.
"Out of 165 promises made in the Congress manifesto in 2013, 158 were fulfilled. The BJP has not even fulfilled 10 per cent of its promises. They should speak the truth before the people during elections instead of spreading lies," he said.
In addition, he urged the BJP to highlight its own achievements instead of criticising Congress.
"During my tenure, the quantity of rice under the Anna Bhagya scheme was increased, which the BJP government later reduced. It was the Congress-led central government that implemented the Food Security Act, the Right to Work, and the Right to Education," he said.
Taking a swipe at the opposition’s campaign strategy, Siddaramaiah alleged that the BJP had stooped to a low level by using expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal for campaigning.
"They have resorted to such acts out of fear of defeat. We will not react to statements of the opposition; we will present the work of the government before the people," he added.
