India Spy Satellites Expansion Planned After Surveillance Gaps Revealed

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

India plans to launch over 50 new spy satellites with night-time and all-weather imaging.
Surveillance gaps were exposed during Operation Sindoor and last year’s India-Pakistan conflict.
The upgrade will rely on synthetic aperture radar and faster satellite data sharing.

New Delhi: India is preparing a major boost to its space-based intelligence network, with plans to deploy more than 50 advanced India spy satellites capable of night-time and all-weather imaging. The move follows critical surveillance shortcomings revealed during Operation Sindoor and a four-day military standoff with Pakistan last year.

According to a Bloomberg report, the new satellites aim to close intelligence blind spots that previously forced India to rely on foreign commercial imagery during conflict situations.

Surveillance Gaps Exposed During Operation Sindoor

During the four-day conflict with Pakistan between May 7 and May 10 last year, satellites played a central role in tracking and identifying targets. However, India’s existing satellite fleet struggled to provide usable imagery at night or under heavy cloud cover.

In contrast, Pakistan benefited from access to Chinese satellite capabilities, despite having a much smaller indigenous space presence.

India Spy Satellites to Get Major Technology Upgrade

At the core of the expansion is a shift from traditional electro-optical sensors to synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology. SAR allows satellites to capture high-resolution images regardless of darkness or weather conditions.

Officials are also working to enhance satellite-to-satellite data transfer, reducing dependence on ground stations and enabling faster intelligence flow during military operations.

Space-Based Surveillance-3 Programme Fast-Tracked

The first phase of the plan involves accelerating the launch of more than 50 satellites under the Space-Based Surveillance-3 (SBS-3) programme. The Rs 26,968-crore Phase 3 of the SBS initiative was cleared by the prime minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security in October last year.

Some satellites will be built and launched by Indian Space Research Organisation, while others will involve three private Indian firms, reflecting growing public-private collaboration in defence space projects.

ISRO Chairman Flags Urgent Need for More Satellites

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan had earlier highlighted the urgency of expanding India’s satellite fleet.

“We require a considerable number of satellites to safeguard our borders. The current fleet is insufficient,” he said in April last year, adding that India aims to deploy 100 to 150 satellites within the next three years.

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Cost, Timeline and Strategic Ambitions

The estimated cost of placing 150 satellites into orbit is around Rs 260 billion ($2.8 billion), according to Bloomberg. The government has reportedly accelerated the programme, with the first batch of new satellites expected to be launched as early as April 2026.

India is also developing “bodyguard satellites” designed to detect and counter potential threats to its spacecraft in orbit.

Overseas Ground Stations Under Consideration

The Narendra Modi government is exploring the establishment of overseas ground stations to relay intelligence more rapidly and across wider regions.

Proposed locations include the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Scandinavia, subject to approvals from host nations. Analysts say such infrastructure would significantly enhance India’s real-time surveillance and response capabilities.

As geopolitical tensions persist, the expansion of India spy satellites marks a decisive shift toward more resilient, autonomous, and technologically advanced national security infrastructure.