Defence Space Agency (DSA) of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) in the month of November successfully conducted the Space Table Top Exercise named Antariksha Abhyas-2024. In the strategic circles, it is being described as a significant milestone aimed at bolstering the strategic readiness of Indian Armed Forces in the domain of space warfare.

DEVELOPING SPACE BASED CAPABILITIES

This pioneering event marked a crucial step in strengthening India’s space based operational capabilities and enhancing triservices integration for space security.

General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff inaugurating the first ever tri-services Defence Space Exercise highlighted that the exercise is aimed at preparing Indian Armed Forces to secure space assets, integrating cutting-edge technology to protect our future. He reaffirmed that commitment to enhance capabilities in space warfare is a national priority and control over space assets results directly into national security advantage. He emphasised the need to develop concepts and procedures to protect against vulnerabilities for securing our national strategic interests in space. The CDS also suggested a collaborative approach between military and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and academia for fostering space systems developments.

Tabletop exercise is an informal, discussion-based session in a collegial and exploratory manner, in which participants discuss their roles and responses during an emergency or a contingency, usually walking through a few likely scenarios.

The three day exercise from November, 11 to 13 was conducted under the aegis of DSA. It is one of three tri-services organisations that was approved on September 28, 2018, as implementation of the proposal of Kargil Committee reformsthe other two being the Defence Cyber Agency (DyCA) and Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD). DSA has been set up as an integrated body to take the requirements of all the three armed services and consolidate their space-related capabilities to enhance coordination among military space activities, fostering synergy with ISRO, DRDO and the Armed Forces. DSA draws personnel from all three branches of the Armed Forces. It focuses on formulating a comprehensive space warfare strategy and developing space-based systems to safeguard Indian interests and address potential conflicts.

EXERCISE ANTARIKSHA ABHYAS-2024

Throughout the three-day event, participants engaged in scenario-based exercises, facilitated by subject matter experts (SMEs) from various Ministries and Departments of the government, besides military, scientific and academia. These SMEs provided valuable insights into the present and future landscape of military space capabilities and technologies, elucidating specific challenges faced in defence space operations and also the evolving nature of space safety, security, and international space laws.

The exercise marked a major step in strengthening India’s space-based operational capabilities, enhancing tri-services integration for space security. The exercise included focused discussions on emerging space technologies, space situational awareness, and India’s space programmes.

A release by the Ministry of Defence brought out that space exercise provided enhanced understanding of space-based assets and services, and aided in gaining better understanding of operational dependency on space segment between stakeholders. In addition, the exercise aimed to “identify vulnerabilities” in conduct of operations in the event of “denial or disruptions” of spacebased services.

EXERCISE ‘ANTARIKSHA ABHYAS’ CONCLUDED WITH AN ADDRESS BY AIR VICE MARSHAL PAWAN KUMAR, DG DEFENCE SPACE AGENCY

Exercise Antariksha Abhyas-2024 concluded with Air Vice Marshal Pawan Kumar, DG DSA, emphasising nation’s commitment to secure, safe and sustainable space operations. Key outcomes included refined strategies for operational preparedness, a robust framework for future collaboration and a clear road map for advancing India’s Space doctrine and capabilities in the line with National Security objectives.

In Indian context all three armed forces have been leveraging their combat capabilities by employing various tools and systems of space domain. Space sector reforms commencing 2020 onwards have catalysed various space capabilities through private space sector. Requirements of Indian Armed Forces have been projected as Defence Space Challenges (DefSpace) to Indian private space sector to develop various capabilities for the armed forces. India’s ASAT demonstration in 2019 too has proved pivotal in underscoring its deterrence capability. Also, certain essential space and counterspace capabilities are under various stages of development for the Indian armed forces.

Exercise Antariksha Abhyas-2024 is indeed a significant milestone in bolstering the strategic readiness of the Indian armed forces in the domain of space warfare. It reveals India’s readiness for future multi domain wars.

The recently concluded exercise has larger strategic connotations. It needs to be viewed in the Indian context as an exercise that marks a pivotal point in India’s journey to secure its interests in space, reaffirming the nation’s advancement and strategic focus on this critical technical domain.

EXERCISE GLOBAL SENTINEL

In the global context, Exercise Antariksha Abhyas-2024 could also be considered as a building block approach towards India’s efforts in enhancing capabilities in military space sphere through collaboration and cooperation. Next year India has been invited to participate in US Space Command’s (USSPACECOM) annual Global Sentinel exercise.

Exercise Global Sentinel began in 2014 with seven participating nations, and has steadily increased participation to 25 nations this year- including the US, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Israel, Spain, Finland, France, United Kingdom, Greece, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Thailand and Ukraine. Indian representatives joined for the first time this year in mid-February as observers during the last two days, now next year Indian military officials are planned to be formally included as participants.

The plan for India’s military to join next year’s Global Sentinel exercise is one of the key initiatives under the wide ranging US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) agreement launched last January. Space cooperation is one of the eight thrust areas under the iCET. Progress on iCET is being reviewed at the highest level by the two nations, last such review was held in June 17 this year between the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, jointly chairing the iCET’s second meeting in New Delhi.

During Exercise Global Sentinel in February this year, the participants explored areas of opportunity to support the safety and sustainability of space through increased mission assurance and resilience through a multinational force. Discussion topics included increasing intelligence and information sharing, solidifying a standardised multinational command and control structure, and expanding into new missions. USSPACECOM working with its allies and partners, plans, executes, and integrates military spacepower into multi-domain global operations in order to deter aggression, defend national interests and when necessary, defeat threats.

CONCLUSION

Table Top exercises like Antariksha Abhyas-2024 are not uncommon in the realm of armed forces, think tanks and government bodies of space faring nations. These help in understanding gaps, vulnerabilities, fostering cooperation among all the stakeholders and laying down the path ahead in terms of developmental goals to meet the aspirations of stakeholders. It indeed is an appropriate step towards India’s trajectory of establishing a Space Command in foreseeable future.