India’s Operation Sindoor: How Homegrown Space Technology Strengthened Military Power

During a recent high-stakes military operation called Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces demonstrated how space technology has become a crucial part of modern warfare. This operation marked a significant chapter in India’s defense history, showcasing how indigenous space assets and international satellite resources can work together to strengthen national security.

How Space Technology Played a Role

In this carefully coordinated mission, India’s armed forces relied heavily on both domestic and international satellites for surveillance, intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, communication, and precision targeting. The integration of these technologies allowed commanders to plan and execute the operation with pinpoint accuracy and real-time updates from space.

At the heart of this effort was ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), which provided valuable satellite data through its network of strategic and commercial space assets.

Key Indian Satellites Involved

1️⃣ CARTOSAT Series:
These high-resolution earth observation satellites provided detailed images and video feeds. Particularly, CARTOSAT-2C offered imagery with a sharp resolution of 0.65 metres, enabling military planners to identify targets, monitor enemy positions, and study terrain features with great clarity. This series has previously supported major missions, including the 2016 Surgical Strike.

2️⃣ RISAT Series:
The Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) family proved essential in situations where weather or darkness might hamper visibility. Its radar-based imaging capability allowed continuous monitoring of enemy activities, troop movements, and strategic locations, both day and night, and in all-weather conditions.

3️⃣ GSAT Series:
To ensure secure and uninterrupted communication between operational command centers and troops on the ground, the GSAT family of satellites played a vital role. These satellites provided encrypted communication links, enhancing coordination across different units and reducing the risk of data interception.

Use of International and Commercial Satellites

To increase the frequency and detail of surveillance, India also acquired commercial satellite data from global providers:

• Maxar Technologies, a US-based satellite imaging company, supplied high-resolution images at a faster rate than India’s own satellites could provide. This enabled near-real-time tracking of high-interest areas.

• Data from Sentinel satellites operated by Europe and another unnamed US-based commercial source further strengthened India’s multi-layered intelligence network.

This approach solved one of the key limitations of domestic satellites — which typically pass over a specific location only once in 14 days — by filling the gaps with commercial satellite images, which can be updated multiple times a day.

A Fully Mobilized Space Force

According to ISRO officials, all available strategic space assets — estimated at around 9 to 11 dedicated military satellites — were mobilized for Operation Sindoor. ISRO also facilitated access to repeatable commercial data streams, ensuring that the Indian armed forces had a continuous flow of information during critical phases of the operation.

What Lies Ahead for India’s Military Space Power

India isn’t stopping here. Plans are in place to further strengthen its military space program:

• The upcoming EOS-09 (RISAT-1B) satellite will be equipped with a powerful C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar, giving India enhanced surveillance capability even in bad weather and darkness.

• In the next five years, India aims to launch 100-150 satellites, including 52 under the Space-Based Surveillance-3 (SBS-3) program. This expansion will involve increased participation from private space companies, signaling a new era for India’s space defense sector.

A New Benchmark in Modern Warfare

Operation Sindoor set a new benchmark in how space technology can shape military outcomes. By effectively combining ISRO’s domestic satellites with commercial satellite imagery from international providers, India achieved superior situational awareness, precision strikes, and efficient command and control capabilities.

This operation not only highlights India’s growing prowess in space-based military operations but also underlines the importance of space as a critical domain in national defense. With ongoing investments in new satellites and space surveillance programs, India is well on its way to becoming a formidable force in space-supported warfare.