India to launch over 50 spy satellites under Space-Based Surveillance-3 after border conflict surveillance gaps

Key facts

• India plans to launch over 50 spy satellites and add night-time imaging to enhance national security capabilities, people familiar with the matter said.
• India encountered surveillance blind spots during a border conflict last year with neighbour Pakistan.
• The Narendra Modi-led administration is looking to build ground stations overseas to relay information more quickly and comprehensively, said the people.
• These ground stations could be in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Scandinavia, they said.
• Plans are underway to enhance satellites with synthetic aperture radar capable of capturing images in dark, cloudy conditions.
• Upgrades are being worked on to help transfer data from one satellite to another without relying on a ground station.
• The launch of the first 52 satellites under Space-Based Surveillance-3 is being fast-tracked.
• India plans to deploy as many as 150 new satellites to boost border security, Mint reported citing Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V Narayanan.
• The estimated cost of placing 150 satellites is about Rs 26,000 crore ($2.8 billion).
• India has more than 100 satellites in orbit compared to just eight for Pakistan, according to spacecraft data tracker N2YO.com.
• India’s satellites are blind at night or in cloudy conditions, a lacuna highlighted during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan last year.
• China provided Pakistan with support during the fighting, helping Islamabad adjust its satellite coverage, a research group under India’s Ministry of Defence said last year.