Date : 23/09/2023

Relevance: GS Paper 3- Internal security- Defence Technology

Keywords: "Space for Security", V2 rockets, NavIC and RISAT, Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Introduction

• In the contemporary landscape of defense, characterized by theaterisation and the ever-evolving nature of warfare, it becomes increasingly imperative to harness the vast potential of space to fortify India's defense capabilities.
• Undertaking a comprehensive examination of the pivotal role space can play in bolstering national security. It delves into the profound significance of space in defense, the intricate space-defense matrix, India's current position within the global space arena, the strategic roadmap essential for unlocking the full potential of space for national security, and the imperative need for India to establish itself as a formidable space power.

Space: A Game-Changer in Defense

• The realm of defense is built upon three foundational pillars: observation, positioning, and communication. These core attributes are critical in the execution of military operations, from tactical maneuvers on the battlefield to large-scale strategic warfare across diverse domains. Space, with its unique characteristics and capabilities, emerges as an exceptionally promising force multiplier that transcends the inherent limitations of land, sea, and air-based platforms.
• It offers an unparalleled array of advantages, including global coverage, persistent surveillance, uninterrupted communications, rapid response capabilities, global navigation precision, and seamless multimodal integration.
• The genesis of space technology can be traced back to the terminal phase of World War II in 1945 when desperate German forces fired V2 rockets over French and British territories.
• Today, space technology presents an array of opportunities that can significantly enhance defense capabilities, marking it as the ultimate instrument of modern warfare.

Maximizing the Potential of Space

• To fully realize the potential of space for defense, India must adopt a holistic approach that goes beyond the mere deployment of satellites in orbit.
• It necessitates the integrated development of both the Ground and User segments, a synergy that will facilitate the seamless fusion of technological breakthroughs, yielding the desired outcomes.
• This approach extends to the utilization of space assets not only during times of conflict but also in peacetime, ensuring that the nation remains prepared and resilient in the face of evolving security challenges.

The Space-Defense Matrix

• The fusion of space and defense is a global phenomenon that has gained significant momentum over the last two decades. India, to some extent, has also recognized the importance of integrating "Space for Security" into its defense strategy.
• This integration revolves around two critical spheres: firstly, enhancing the combat potential of the defense forces through the utilization of space technology, and secondly, safeguarding the space assets themselves.
• The latter includes elements such as Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and counter-space operations. A prime example of the former is the deployment of space-based Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems.
• These systems are the linchpin for boosting the readiness and effectiveness of defense forces on the battlefield. They enable applications ranging from space-based weather forecasting and secure communications to intelligence gathering, 24/7 surveillance, in-depth reconnaissance, precise positioning, accurate navigation, target identification, and missile threat detection, all of which can be seamlessly integrated with the cyberspace domain and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This amalgamation transforms every soldier into a formidable component of the war machinery, showcasing the power of space for defense.
• The ultimate potential of space in defense lies in the ability to win without engaging in direct combat, a paradigm shift that India needs to embrace fully.
• Thus, there is an imperative for India to enhance its space capabilities and invest in systems that extend beyond the traditional scope of space technology to explore innovative spin-offs that can be applied in both conventional and unconventional defense scenarios.

The Evolution of Warfare

• The nature of warfare is undergoing a profound transformation. This evolution spans various formats, from short-intense conventional conflicts to hybrid warfare, network-centric warfare, gray-zone warfare, and the latest addition to the arsenal - multi-domain warfare. One common thread that ties these diverse forms of warfare together is the integration of C4ISR systems, which serve as the linchpin for expediting decision-making processes.
• In today's context, when other revolutionary military technologies have matured significantly, space technology is on an exponential trajectory of development, yielding breakthroughs in hypersonic glide vehicles, reusable launch vehicles, in-orbit refueling and maintenance, co-orbital applications, Internet of Things (IoT) constellations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), cis-lunar explorations, quantum communications, multi-payload constellations, directed energy weapons, and much more.
• These advancements are reshaping the landscape of military affairs, and India must remain at the forefront of these developments to maintain its national security.

Addressing Key Challenges

While the potential of space for defense is undeniable, India faces several critical challenges in fully harnessing this potential.

• One of the most significant challenges is the integration of space technology into the broader defense framework. Achieving this integration requires enhanced inter-agency coordination, substantial architectural reforms, a reorientation of strategic outlook, and a concerted effort to develop phased roadmaps that guide the evolution of space capabilities for defense applications.
• Over the years, India has primarily followed a reactive approach, responding to external security threats with incremental measures. For instance, projects such as NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), the Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Restricted Service (RS) project, and the strategic Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) program were initiated primarily in the aftermath of the Kargil Crisis.
• While these dual-use projects are operational, their effective applications for strategic purposes have been hampered by the challenges of producing high-quality end-products and lengthy gestation periods in co-developing user and space segments.
• The time has come for India to transition from this crisis-driven approach and embark on comprehensive planning, including the formulation of defense space policy guidelines, the development of doctrine, the crafting of a robust strategy, the establishment of an organizational architecture, the provision of technical support, and the creation of essential infrastructure.

The Global Space Disparity

• An undeniable reality is the growing space disparity between India and China. Both nations initiated their space programs in the 1960s, yet today, they stand at significantly different levels in terms of both quantitative and qualitative space assets.
• China has surged ahead, surpassing India by a considerable margin in terms of the number of operational satellites, technological prowess, and comprehensive space infrastructure.
• This growing asymmetry is a cause for concern for India. China's achievements encompass the capability to scan the entire globe in less than ten minutes, sub-centimeter targeting precision in Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) data, unyielding quantum technology encryptions to counter jamming and spoofing attacks, and a broad spectrum of space demonstrations encompassing both offensive and defensive space warfare capabilities.
• The stark difference between India and China in terms of annual budgets, launch frequencies, research initiatives, training programs, academic engagement, private sector involvement, and the display of space prowess underscores the magnitude of the challenge India faces in the space domain.

India's Approach: Challenges and Opportunities

• India's approach to space technology for defense applications has historically been characterized as reactive and supportive, primarily geared toward meeting immediate defense needs and sustaining aging assets and initiatives.
• While this approach has not fully optimized the utilization of space for defense, it has been, to a certain extent, justified considering the nation's socio-economic and security conditions over the years.
• However, it is evident that the emphasis on capacity building for defense through space has often been driven by external security threats, leading to a reactionary approach. For example, projects like NavIC and RISAT (Radar Imaging Satellite) were initiated primarily in response to specific security challenges.
• To address this issue, India needs to adopt a proactive stance, necessitating comprehensive planning in terms of defense space policy guidelines, doctrine, strategy, organizational architecture, technical support, and infrastructure development.

Global Trends in Defense Space Organizations

• Recent developments in the utilization of space for defense underscore the need for dedicated and specialized space organizations. Several major space-faring nations have established or enhanced their defense space organizations in the last five to seven years. Examples include the Russian Aerospace Forces (2015), the Chinese Strategic Support Force (2016), the United States Space Force (2019), the French Space Command (2019), the UK Space Command (2021), and the Australian Defence Space Command (2022).
• Recognizing the significance of this trend, India has also established its own Defense Space Agency under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), along with its technical counterpart, the Directorate of Special Projects under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• These initiatives signal a growing commitment to developing the defense space sector and an opening up of opportunities for the private space industry since 2020.
• However, the desired end-state must be meticulously defined and coordinated to ensure the optimal utilization of these resources and capabilities.

A Multi-Pronged Strategy for India

• To unlock the full potential of space capabilities for defense, India must adopt a multifaceted strategy. This strategy should encompass key principles such as resilience, interoperability, and flexibility in the design and operation of its defense space architecture. Collaboration with strategic allies and commercial entities can further enhance India's space capabilities, aligning them with national security objectives.
• By capitalizing on the advancements of the commercial space economy, India can position itself as a frontrunner in the rapidly maturing space domain. As theaterisation gains momentum in the realm of defense, the time is ripe for India to capitalize on the vast potential of space to meet its evolving defense requirements comprehensively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, space is poised to become a pivotal element in India's defense strategy. As the theaterisation of defense operations progresses, India must fully embrace the potential of space to fortify its national security. The multifaceted approach to defense space, encompassing comprehensive planning, organizational restructuring, strategic vision, and proactive investment in space capabilities, will pave the way for India to bridge the space disparity with other major space powers. By aligning its space enterprise with the evolving landscape of modern warfare and national security needs, India can position itself as a formidable space power, ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Source - PIB / The Indian Express