CDS Gen Anil Chauhan (seated centre) along with other senior military commanders from the Army, Navy, and the Air Force at the launch of Antariksha Abhyas. (Photo: HQ IDS)
New Delhi: India has embarked on its first-ever “Antariksha Abhyas” – a landmark and large-scale exercise aimed at testing and strengthening the country’s strategic capabilities in space. The chief of defence staff, General Anil Chauhan, launched the exercise on Monday, which will run until November 13.
This exercise is a significant move by India to enhance its national security and secure its strategic interests amid escalating competition and potential threats in space.
The exercise, whose name means “space exercise” in Sanskrit, is being led by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff’s Defence Space Agency (DSA) with the support of the Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) and the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Antariksha Abhyas brings together experts from government agencies, research institutions, and the armed forces to simulate scenarios involving satellite protection, counterspace operations, and rapid responses to potential threats.
General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff launches a new chapter for India’s defence - "Antariksha Abhyas". The first ever tri-services Defence Space Exercise is preparing #IndianArmedForces to secure space assets, integrating cutting-edge technology to protect our future.… pic.twitter.com/pVzkI0ietE
— HQ IDS (@HQ_IDS_India) November 11, 2024
The IDS’s Defence Cyber Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency and Strategic Forces Command are taking part in the exercise.
According to a Ministry of Defence spokesman, Antariksha Abhyas addresses potential contingencies in space, such as cyberattacks, jamming attempts, and physical threats to critical space assets. The primary objective is to ensure the security and operational continuity of Indian satellites, which play crucial roles in communication, surveillance, navigation, and disaster management.
“As space becomes increasingly militarized, it’s essential for India to develop robust capabilities to protect its assets and maintain its strategic objectives,” the spokesman stated.
This exercise is a milestone in India’s journey to becoming a leading spacefaring nation. India’s extensive array of satellites already supports civilian, commercial, and military functions. By conducting Antariksha Abhyas, India is taking critical steps to bolster its defences in space while showcasing its commitment to being a key player in the emerging global security paradigm.
Throughout the exercise, experts are assessing the country’s preparedness for counterspace operations, which involve defending India’s space assets while potentially targeting hostile satellites if necessary. These capabilities may include satellite jamming, spoofing, cyberdefence, and kinetic strikes on enemy assets.
While India has traditionally pursued a peaceful approach in space exploration, Antariksha Abhyas highlights the importance of vigilance and preparedness amid a global surge in counter-space capabilities, particularly from nations like China and Russia.
Analysts observe that Antariksha Abhyas underlines India’s commitment to space security as a key component of its national security strategy. As countries, like the United States, China, and Russia, enhance their own space-based defence systems, India’s exercise comes at a critical juncture, fostering collaboration between India’s defence, research, and space organizations and advancing space technology and defence infrastructure.
India’s recent space accomplishments, including the Chandrayaan-3 mission and the upcoming Gaganyaan project, underscore its rising aspirations. With its space assets growing, the need for their protection has become paramount. Experts believe that exercises like Antariksha Abhyas will become regular fixtures in India’s defence strategy, potentially expanding to include international cooperation in the future.
