Dr. Samir Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has emphasized that space will be the decisive domain in future conflicts. Speaking at a conference, he stressed that India must adopt a whole-of-nation approach to bridge the gap with leading space-faring nations.
Space as the New Battlefield
Kamat highlighted that modern warfare is increasingly reliant on space-based assets for communication, navigation, surveillance, and targeting. He warned that adversaries are rapidly developing anti-satellite weapons and electronic warfare capabilities, making space a contested environment.
India's Current Position
While India has made significant strides through ISRO and DRDO, Kamat noted that the country still lags in areas like space-based situational awareness, satellite protection, and offensive space capabilities. He called for greater collaboration between government agencies, private industry, and academia.
- Need for Policy Framework: A comprehensive national space policy is essential to guide investments and regulations.
- Private Sector Role: Startups and established firms must be integrated into the defence space ecosystem to foster innovation.
- International Partnerships: Collaborations with friendly nations can accelerate technology transfer and joint missions.
The Whole-of-Nation Approach
Kamat urged that space capabilities cannot be developed in silos. He advocated for a coordinated effort involving the military, scientific community, and industry. This includes establishing a dedicated space command within the armed forces and increasing funding for research in space technologies.
He also stressed the importance of human capital, calling for specialized training programs to create a skilled workforce in space engineering and cyber defence for space assets.
Challenges Ahead
Among the key challenges are the high costs of space systems, the need for resilient satellite constellations, and the threat of space debris. Kamat suggested that India should focus on cost-effective solutions like small satellites and reusable launch vehicles.
In conclusion, Dr. Samir Kamat asserted that India has the potential to become a major space power, but it requires a unified national effort. The future of warfare is in space, and India must act now to secure its interests.
