Following the operational lessons from the May 2025 Operation Sindoor, India is accelerating the launch of 52 dedicated defence surveillance satellites to strengthen persistent and deep monitoring of adversary territories. The ambitious Phase 3 of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) programme, approved by the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security in October last year with a budget of Rs 26,968 crore, aims to deploy these satellites by the end of 2029.

The Defence Space Agency (DSA), under the Integrated Defence Staff of the Ministry of Defence, is spearheading the project. It involves the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launching 21 satellites, while three private companies are contracted to build and launch the remaining 31 satellites. Efforts are underway to compress timelines and expedite satellite deployment into low earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit.

The SBS-3 constellation will significantly expand surveillance coverage over China, Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean Region, offering shorter revisit times and higher resolution imagery. This capability will enable the armed forces to detect, track, and identify threats well before they approach Indian borders, enhancing real-time situational awareness and decision-making speed.

Parallelly, the Indian Air Force is pursuing acquisition of three high-altitude platform system (HAPS) aircraft—unmanned pseudo-satellites operating in the stratosphere for extended intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

Operation Sindoor underscored the critical role of domestic satellites like Cartosat and foreign commercial satellites in tracking military movements during the intense India-Pakistan hostilities in May. Defence officials stress the need to shorten the OODA (observe, orient, decide, act) loop to maintain operational advantage.

India is also working on a comprehensive military space doctrine and satellite shield to counter emerging threats from China’s rapidly expanding military space program, which now operates over 1,000 satellites, including sophisticated ISR and anti-satellite capabilities.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, recently emphasized the strategic importance of extending India’s surveillance envelope deep into adversary territory, highlighting space as the ultimate high ground in modern warfare.

This fast-tracked satellite initiative marks a significant leap in India’s defence space capabilities, ensuring enhanced vigilance and preparedness in an increasingly contested and technologically advanced security environment.

During an official visit to Greece from June 23 to 25, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF), held high-level talks with Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff. Among the key topics of discussion was Greece’s formal offer to sell 15 Mirage-2000-5 fighter jets to India, as Athens seeks to phase out the aircraft in favor of its newer Rafale fleet.

The proposal was made as part of Greece’s ongoing air force modernization plan, which centers on transitioning to advanced multi-role platforms like the Rafale. The 15 Mirage-2000-5 jets were inducted between the late 1990s and early 2000s and are being retired to reduce maintenance costs and generate funds for additional Rafale acquisitions. These aircraft are supported under a maintenance contract with Dassault Aviation set to expire in 2027.

Despite the offer, the IAF has expressed reservations about acquiring the jets. The concerns include the advanced age of the aircraft, limited remaining airframe life, and significant differences in configuration compared to the IAF’s existing Mirage-2000H/TH fleet. The IAF currently operates around 50 Mirage-2000s, upgraded in the 2010s under a $2.3 billion deal with Dassault and Thales, equipping them with modern avionics, RDY-2 radar, and MICA missiles. These aircraft have been central to operations such as the 2019 Balakot airstrike and the recent Operation Sindoor in May 2025.

While the IAF has been exploring ways to maintain and extend the service life of its Mirage fleet—previously considering the acquisition of retired French Mirage-2000s for cannibalization—Greece’s offer represents a potential alternative. However, the Greek jets’ estimated remaining operational life of 10–15 years, coupled with costs associated with retrofitting and sustaining them, raises concerns about long-term value.

The IAF is currently managing a squadron shortfall, operating 31 squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42, and is seeking stop-gap solutions while it awaits new aircraft under programs like the Tejas Mk-1A, Tejas Mk-2, and the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) procurement. Still, the financial implications of acquiring the Greek jets are considerable. Experts suggest that the total cost of procurement, upgrades, and lifecycle maintenance could rival that of new indigenous platforms.

With a commitment to 180 Tejas Mk-1A jets already underway at a cost of ₹1.15 lakh crore, and plans progressing for the MRFA and AMCA projects, the IAF may ultimately decide that the Greek Mirage-2000-5s do not align with its long-term strategic and fiscal goals. The decision is expected to hinge on whether the short-term benefits of fleet reinforcement outweigh the costs and logistical challenges of integrating aging foreign platforms.

Reliance Defence Limited, a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, has entered into a strategic partnership with US-based Coastal Mechanics Inc. to tap into India’s ₹20,000 crore defence maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) market. The agreement aims to provide comprehensive lifecycle support and upgrade services for critical Indian military platforms, including fighter jets, helicopters, and air defence systems.

The collaboration, announced on Monday, marks a significant move toward strengthening India’s defence support ecosystem. Coastal Mechanics Inc. is an authorised contractor for the US Department of Defense, bringing proven expertise to the partnership. The focus will be on sustaining and modernising platforms such as the Jaguar and MiG-29 fighter aircraft, Apache helicopters, and L-70 air defence guns, among other legacy systems in service with the Indian Armed Forces.

Under the agreement, the two companies will set up a joint venture at the MIHAN (Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur) facility in Maharashtra. The hub will offer MRO and upgrade services for both domestic needs and potential export markets. The companies said the facility will become a long-term centre of excellence for extending the operational life of existing military assets.

The new venture aligns with India’s shift towards performance-based logistics and lifecycle extension strategies, moving away from frequent platform replacements. The initiative is expected to enhance readiness and cost-efficiency across key components of India’s defence infrastructure.

At the recent CNN-News18 Defence Townhall and as reported by IDRW, Lieutenant General Vinod G Khandare (Retd.), former Principal Adviser to the Ministry of Defence, delivered a pointed critique of Chinese military equipment, especially the kind exported to Pakistan. His remarks raised serious questions about the credibility and battlefield reliability of China’s defense platforms, many of which are yet to be tested in actual combat.

Khandare emphasized that while Chinese systems such as the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet and PL-15 air-to-air missile may appear advanced in design and capability, their real-world performance remains uncertain. This lack of combat validation, he suggested, presents a strategic vulnerability for nations like Pakistan that depend heavily on Chinese arms.

He further proposed that China may be using its ally Pakistan as a testing ground for unproven military systems. “China gives them [Pakistan] these systems so they can be tested, and the Chinese can learn from the mistakes,” Khandare stated, implying that the Chinese military-industrial complex could be offloading experimental platforms to refine its own technologies.

The retired General also touched upon deeper issues within the Chinese defense sector, pointing to the recent purge of several senior generals in the People’s Liberation Army. These sackings, he said, were not just a result of financial corruption but were also linked to the production of substandard weapons. He argued that China’s rush to modernize its military has led to a compromise in quality, further diminishing the credibility of its hardware.

This combination of internal corruption and questionable product integrity, according to Khandare, reflects structural weaknesses in China’s defense production system. For countries like Pakistan, which view Chinese equipment as critical to balancing India’s military edge, this could have significant strategic consequences.

Khandare’s remarks serve as both a caution and an insight for Indian defense planners. While the presence of advanced Chinese platforms in Pakistan’s arsenal might appear threatening, their untested nature could actually provide India with a strategic advantage in the event of a conflict. At the same time, he stressed that India must not become complacent.

With China continuing to invest in its military-industrial network and deepen its ties with Pakistan, India must respond with investments in proven technologies, robust indigenous defense production, and a clear-eyed assessment of evolving threats.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Sunday that a portion of the national highway near Dibrugarh will soon be developed into an emergency landing facility for Indian Air Force fighter jets and civilian aircraft. This will be the first such dual-use highway airstrip in the northeastern region.

Speaking to reporters, Sarma said the Union government has approved the development of a 4.2 km stretch between Moran and Numaligarh on the national highway passing through Dibrugarh. This stretch will be capable of accommodating emergency landings of fighter jets like the Sukhoi 30 and Rafale. The project is being executed in coordination with the Indian Air Force and is expected to be completed by October 2025.

“We are aiming for October this year to prepare the 4.2 km stretch of national highway to land Air Force fighter jets. I have been constantly in touch with the Air Force authorities to meet this deadline. The work will be completed under their supervision also. Once the highway is prepared for landing fighter jets, we will organise an air show for the general public,” the Chief Minister said.

He added that the airstrip will also serve as an emergency alternative for civilian aircraft. “If at any situation, any civilian aircraft is not able to land at Dibrugarh airport, there will be a provision for an emergency landing on the national highway also,” Sarma stated.

In addition to the Dibrugarh project, the Central government has approved similar highway-based emergency landing facilities at two other locations in Assam. One will be in lower Assam and the other between Nagaon and Lumding. Work on these two projects will commence soon.

Sarma emphasized that these initiatives reflect the unprecedented development in road and defense infrastructure that Assam is witnessing under the current administration.