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China’s recent satellite combat manoeuvre in space has triggered serious concerns within India’s defence and strategic community, reinforcing fears about the accelerating militarization of space and its long-term implications for national security.
The disclosure came from Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CIDS), during a seminar organized by the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Simulated ‘Satellite Dogfight’ Raises Red Flags
Addressing the gathering, Air Marshal Dixit confirmed that China had recently carried out a simulated “satellite dogfight” in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The drill reportedly involved tracking and jamming of adversary satellites — a clear indication of China’s growing capability to neutralise space assets in a potential conflict.
He cautioned that Beijing’s satellite programme has rapidly expanded in both scale and sophistication. More concerning, he said, is China’s increasing integration of space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems with terrestrial weapons platforms — a shift that dramatically enhances its warfighting potential.
“This kind of capability gives China the ability to monitor, disrupt, and potentially destroy adversary space assets in a conflict scenario,” Dixit warned.
China’s Expanding Space Footprint
Citing figures to highlight the pace of China’s space expansion, Dixit noted that in 2010, China operated just 36 satellites. By 2024, this number has skyrocketed to nearly 1,000 — of which approximately 360 are ISR-focused. The recent establishment of a dedicated Aerospace Force Command further underscores China’s intent to militarise outer space.
India’s Response: Strengthening Indigenous Capabilities
Air Marshal Dixit’s remarks were delivered in the context of India’s recent military success in Operation Sindoor — a precision operation that validated several indigenous defence platforms. He praised the performance of Indian systems, many of which, he noted, exceeded global standards in their battlefield roles.
Among the standout systems were the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) and the Army’s Akashteer battlefield management system, both of which contributed significantly to operational success.
“The side that sees first sees farther and sees accurately has the advantage. Operation Sindoor made this abundantly clear,” he said, underlining the role of ISR and electro-optical technologies in contemporary warfare.
Precision Weapons Redefining Warfare
Dixit also emphasised that modern warfare is no longer bound by geographic proximity. The deployment of long-range precision-guided munitions like SCALP, HAMMER, and BrahMos missiles — along with beyond-visual-range (BVR) weapons and drone swarms — has rendered traditional borders less relevant in a military context.
“Precision strike capabilities and surveillance technologies now allow militaries to target deep into enemy territory with pinpoint accuracy, regardless of terrain or borders,” he said.
The Shift to AI-Driven, Network-Centric Operations
Looking ahead, the CIDS Chief stressed that the future of military operations lies in space-enabled, AI-powered, multi-domain warfare. Space-based assets provide unmatched, persistent surveillance that terrestrial systems cannot replicate — enabling real-time tracking of missile launches, troop movements, and communications intelligence.
India’s push for Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in space technology, he argued, is not just an industrial goal but a strategic necessity in an increasingly contested domain.
“Thousands of small, affordable sensors can now form a surveillance mesh,” he noted. “This capability is foundational for modern military operations.”
He also highlighted the emerging role of fused ISR capabilities using electro-optical sensors, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and signals intelligence — all integrated with AI to generate a predictive, 24/7 battlespace picture.
Urgent Need for Integrated Defence Strategy
In the wake of China’s expanding space footprint, Air Marshal Dixit called for the seamless networking of all surveillance systems across land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains. Artificial intelligence, he said, must be at the core of this integration, enabling real-time command decisions and proactive threat assessments.
“The battlefield of the future will demand that sensors are omnipresent, data is processed in the cloud, and algorithms are not just analytical tools — but active participants in the decision-making loop,” he concluded.
Huma Siddiqui
