Why in News?

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan announced that India is in the final stages of formulating a Military Space Doctrine, expected to be released within two to three months.

A National Military Space Policy is also under development. This is an important step as the world is on the “cusp of an era” where space is becoming a key domain of warfare, necessitating preparedness through structured doctrines, research, and institutional frameworks.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Need For a Space Security Doctrine
• India's Key Developments in Space Security
• Conclusion: Towards a Space-Ready Military

Need For a Space Security Doctrine

• Rising Global Concerns Over Weaponisation of Outer Space
  • In April 2024, Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution (drafted by the US and Japan) to prevent an arms race in outer space.
    • UN has called for a legally binding instrument to prevent arms race in outer space, but Russia and China rejected the 2024 draft resolution.
  • This follows fears of Russia developing nuclear anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons.
  • Military use of space has been ongoing since Sputnik (1957), with increasing threats of space warfare and space-based defence systems.
• Militarization Trends: Space as the Fifth Operational Domain
  • NATO declared space a fifth operational domain in 2019, reflecting its critical role in defence.
  • Countries like the US and Russia have created independent space forces and formulated doctrines to secure space dominance.
  • The failure of global consensus on responsible behaviours (e.g., the 2023 Working Group report) reflects growing mistrust among major powers.
• Geopolitical and Astropolitical Tensions
  • India faces growing geopolitical and astropolitical tensions, especially with China and Pakistan.
  • China's space advancements, including the Space Silk Road and PLA’s restructured security forces (including Aerospace and Cyberspace), pose direct security challenges.
• Other Factors
  • Rising threats such as orbital, kinetic, electronic warfare, and cyber threats necessitate resilient space-based systems.
  • India's expanding space capabilities demand clear institutional frameworks to integrate civil, commercial, and military space activities.
  • Military space operations are critical for - Safeguarding national security; Addressing vulnerabilities of space-based systems; Tackling emerging space-based threats.

India's Key Developments in Space Security

• Adherence to Space Norms
  • India adheres to major international space treaties including:
    • 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST)
    • 1968 Rescue Agreement
    • 1972 Liability Convention
    • 1974 Registration Convention
    • Signatory to the 1979 Moon Agreement
  • India is a member of the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and follows the 2008 Debris Mitigation Guidelines.
• India's Key Developments in Space Security
  • 2019 ASAT Test (Mission Shakti): India demonstrated its counter-space capabilities, joining the US, Russia, and China.
  • 2010 – Integrated Space Cell: Enhanced coordination between the Department of Space and Armed Forces.
  • 2018 – Defence Space Agency (DSA): Formed to address space-based military threats.
    • DSA is playing a central role in: Drafting the military space doctrine; Building an integrated satellite communication grid; Identifying and countering threats to national security from both state and non-state actors.
  • 2023 – Indian Space Policy (ISP): First formal space policy, although it lightly touches upon “national security”.
  • 52-Satellite Constellation for Defence: The government has approved the launch of a 52-satellite constellation for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
    • 31 satellites to be built by the private sector
    • Execution in partnership with ISRO and private players
    • Aimed at bridging operational gaps and preparing for future threats
  • GSAT-9 (2017): Used space diplomacy through the South Asia Satellite, strengthening regional influence (excluding Pakistan).
  • International Partnerships: India is strengthening space cooperation with QUAD, France, and others.

Conclusion: Towards a Space-Ready Military

India’s ongoing reforms in the space sector and the development of military space doctrines and policies reflect a strategic shift towards embracing space as a crucial frontier for national security. These initiatives aim to build resilience, foster innovation, and integrate military, civil, and private capabilities for a robust space defence architecture.