The Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by the Prime Minister has cleared the setting up of the Defence Space Research Agency (DSRA) which has been entrusted with the task of creating space warfare weapon systems and technologies.
The agency would be provided with a team of scientists and would be working in close coordination with the tri-servicesintegrated Defence staff officers.
It would provide the research and development support to the Defence Space Agency (DSA) which comprises members of the three services (Army, Naval and Air Force).
The DSA has been created to help the country fight wars in outer space.
The DSA has been set up in Bengaluru under an Air Vice Marshal-rank officer and will gradually take over the space-related capabilities of the three forces.
India’s existing military space agencies — including the Defence Imagery Processing and Analysis Centre, located in New Delhi, and the Defence Satellite Control Centre, located in Bhopal — will be merged with DSA.
The need for developing counterspace capability was discussed threadbare at a meeting of Defence Planning Committee (DPC) chaired by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval in April.
The DPC is working on “comprehensive” planning for the defence forces besides focusing on military doctrines to deal with emerging security challenges.
earlier govt setup a committee…………………………………………..
Union Government has formed a Task Force for identifying areas for use of space technology in improving border management headed by Joint Secretary (Border Management) with members from Border Guarding Forces (BGFs) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The Task Force consulted all stake holders including BGFs, ISRO, National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and Ministry of Defence (MoD) before finalising the report.
Details of the areas identified for use of space technology are as under:-
(i) Island development and security
(ii) Border Surveillance
(iii) Communication and Navigation
(iv) GIS and Operations Planning System
(v) Border Infrastructure Monitoring
For phase wise implementation of the report, a short, medium and long term plan has been prepared. Details are as under:
| Term | Actions | Amount | Timeline |
| Short Term | Establishment of network infrastructure and computing requirements for all CAPFs, hiring of transponders for satellite communication and procurement of satellite data for immediate operational use of the forces. | 130 Crore | One year |
| Medium Term | Development of infrastructure and storage capacity for MHA, capacity building of CAPFs.Launch of one satellite for exclusive use of MHA by ISRO and establishment of ground segment to receive inputs from satellite.Operationalization of COPS/ BOPS Software developed jointly by ISRO/ CAPFs. | 80 Crore | Three years |
| Long Term | Launch of additional satellites as per need, up gradation of ground segment, full operationlisation of COPS/BOPS software, Capacity building of CAPFs for using space technology. | 70 Crore | Five Years |
This project will strengthen island and border security by providing observation, communication and navigation capability to border guarding and internal security forces in remote areas. It will also help Ministry of Home Affairs in planning and monitoring of development of border and island infrastructure.