What happened?
India is set to launch 52 dedicated military satellites by 2029 under Phase 3 of its Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) programme. This initiative, approved in October 2024 at a cost of ₹26,968 crore, follows Operation Sindoor (7–10 May 2025), which highlighted the need for advanced surveillance capabilities. The project is led by the Defence Space Agency, with ISRO and private companies executing satellite construction. The first launch is scheduled for April 2026.
Why it matters to India
The programme significantly upgrades India’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, enabling persistent monitoring of China, Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean Region. With China expanding its military space assets and demonstrating anti-satellite capabilities, India’s rapid space militarisation enhances deterrence and strategic situational awareness. The initiative is also central to India’s evolving space doctrine and its goal of reducing the OODA (observe–orient–decide–act) loop in modern conflicts.