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Introduction

Outer space has transformed from a peaceful commons into a contested military domain. For India, this creates a dual challenge of using space for terrestrial defence while simultaneously defending its space-based assets amid rising counter-space threats.

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Dual Challenge for India

Space for Defence (Use of Space-based Capabilities): Space systems act as the force multipliers of modern warfare.

• Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR): Satellites enable persistent monitoring of borders with China and Pakistan, detecting troop movements and infrastructure build-up.
• Secure Communication and Command & Control: Space-based communication satellites ensure encrypted, real-time coordination among dispersed forces.
• Navigation and Precision Warfare: Navigation constellations support missile guidance, troop mobility and precision strikes, forming the backbone of network-centric warfare.

Defence of Space (Protection of Orbital Assets): Possessing space assets also makes them vulnerable targets.

• Non-kinetic threats: Jamming, GPS spoofing and cyberattacks on ground stations can paralyse military operations without physical destruction.
• Kinetic and co-orbital threats: Direct-ascent ASAT missiles and proximity “inspector satellites” can disable or destroy satellites.
• Environmental hazards: Space debris and radiation increase vulnerability in a congested orbital environment.

Impact of Emerging Counter-Space Threats on India’s Security Calculus

• Shift from deterrence-by-denial to deterrence-by-resilience: Focus on redundancy, hardened satellites and rapid replacement capabilities.
  Eg: Development of multiple navigation satellites and small-satellite launch capability to quickly replace damaged assets after an ASAT or jamming attack.
• Institutional rethinking: Fragmented arrangements like the Defence Space Agency appear inadequate, strengthening the case for a dedicated Space Force or empowered space command.
• Escalation risks: Attacks on space assets can rapidly spill over into conventional or even nuclear domains, raising stakes of conflict.
  Eg: Satellite blindness during a border standoff could impair missile warning systems, pushing adversaries towards pre-emptive military responses.
• Integration of space into core warfighting doctrine: Space is no longer a support domain but a central arena shaping outcomes across land, sea, air and cyber operations.
  Eg: The Indian Air Force doctrine identifies space-based assets as “new centres of gravity” vulnerable to hostile action.
• Civil–military fusion: Greater integration between ISRO, private sector and armed forces becomes strategically necessary.

Conclusion

Emerging counter-space threats have elevated space into a decisive warfighting domain. For India, balancing ‘space for defence’ with ‘defence of space’ requires institutional reform, resilience-building and credible deterrence, without abandoning its long-standing commitment to peaceful and responsible use of outer space.

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