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India’s Defence Space Agency, under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, is conducting a three-day war-game exercise titled ‘Antariksha Abhyas – 2024’ from November 11 to 13. This exercise, the first of its kind, is designed to simulate the growing threats to and from space-based assets and services, focusing on securing national strategic objectives in space and enhancing the integration of India’s space capabilities into military operations.
Objective of the Exercise
The primary aim of Antariksha Abhyas is to improve understanding of the operational reliance on space-based assets and services in military operations. The exercise will simulate potential disruptions to space services and identify vulnerabilities that could emerge in such scenarios. It is expected to highlight the importance of space for national security, while also addressing the growing complexities and threats faced by space-based military systems.
Chief of Defence Staff’s Address
During the opening of the exercise, General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), underscored the increasing strategic significance of space in modern warfare. He stated, “Space, once considered the final frontier, is now a critical enabler of India’s defence and security apparatus.” General Chauhan further emphasized that as space becomes more congested, contested, competitive, and commercial, securing India’s national interests in space requires fostering innovation and developing advanced technologies. Collaboration between key institutions such as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and academia is essential to achieving these objectives.
Key Participants
The exercise will involve participants from a range of specialized military units and agencies:
- Defence Space Agency and its allied units
- Personnel from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force
- Specialist branches under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, including the Defence
- Cyber Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency, and Strategic Forces Command
- Representatives from ISRO and DRDO
Strategic Importance of Space-Based Capabilities
As India continues to expand its space capabilities, ensuring the security and functionality of space assets is becoming increasingly vital. Space-based services are crucial for communication, navigation, intelligence, and surveillance, all of which are integral to modern military operations. The Antariksha Abhyas exercise is designed to assess how India can safeguard these assets from both external and internal threats, such as cyber-attacks or hostile military actions aimed at disrupting satellite-based systems.
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