India constantly boosting space surveillance to track Chinese activity at LAC and beyond, here’s how

To counter China's growing presence and assertiveness in Indo-Pacific, coupled with the nations rising space-based surveillance capabilities, India has stepped up its space game, with a planned 52-satellite launch -- an initiative worth ₹26,968 crore -- along with phase III of Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) programme and RISAT-1B, the all weather radar satellite.

All-weather eye in the sky

India’s border surveillance capabilities and national security are poised to get a game-changing boost with the launch of the all-weather Indian Space Research Organisation’s RISAT-1B radar imaging satellite, also known as EOS-09, from the Sriharikota space centre on May 18, 2025. 

The RISAT-1B satellite is equipped with a state-of-the-art C-band synthetic aperture radar, which will enable it to capture high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface under adverse weather conditions such as rain, fog, clouds, or at night. This is quite unlike optical camera satellites that struggle to record images when the weather turns bad or darkness sets in at night.

According to experts, coming just days after Operation Sindoor, RISAT-1B’s launch assumes great significance as it will give the defence forces a vital edge in monitoring India’s sensitive borders along Pakistan and China, as well as for safeguarding the country’s vast coastlines.

RISAT-1B’s radar technology is particularly crucial for defence purposes. It can track enemy movements, detect infiltrations, and support anti-terrorism operations, providing continuous, reliable intelligence.

A shield in the space

The high-resolution radar images can detect even minor changes, such as fresh soil disturbances due to the movement of military equipment, new encampments, or vehicular movement, which conventional surveillance might miss. The RISAT-1B is an advanced version of the existing RISAT series of satellites that have been used in operations such as the Balakot strikes.

RISAT-1B can play a key role in anti-terrorist operations as it can more accurately pick up suspicious movements on the ground as terrorists try to infiltrate across the border.

The satellite features five distinct imaging modes, ranging from ultra-high-resolution imaging, capable of detecting small objects, to broader scans for large-area observation. This wide range provides flexibility in using the satellite for both military and civilian applications such as agriculture, forestry, soil moisture monitoring, geology and keeping track of floods.

The RISAT-1B is a further advancement of the RISAT-1 satellite and is similar in configuration. It will also complement data from other satellites, such as the Resourcesat, Cartosat, and RISAT-2B Series, which will build a comprehensive Earth observation network.

SBS Phase III

The Phase III of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) mission of India has already paved the way for the launch of 52 surveillance satellites in low earth and geostationary orbits. 

The move is likely to give sleepless nights to adversaries such as China and Pakistan, as the two neighbours among others will be under continuous monitoring once the capabilities are fully operational.

With this ramped-up capability, India will be able to detect enemy submarines operating in the Indo-Pacific region, sources familiar with the development said. In addition to this, India will improve and upgrade its ability to monitor and closely watch any illegal infrastructure development by China near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

As China continues to be overassertive in a bid to expand its footprints and presence in the region, the SBS is aimed at bolstering India’s security measures, such as deploying surveillance satellites, to effectively monitor and respond to Beijing’s actions, is a timely action.

Responding to Chinese threat

In response to China's belligerence in the region, India is implementing effective measures to safeguard the country’s maritime and other security regional interests. It will also ensure that potential threats from hostile submarines are quickly detected and dealt with. Beyond maritime security, experts indicate that these satellites will also monitor infrastructure development by adversaries along India's land borders.

The move includes monitoring along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, where the construction of new roads, airstrips, and military outposts has raised major concerns over the past several years. In addition to this, increased surveillance along the Pakistan border will enable India to keep an eye on new defence-related infrastructure projects that could pose risks to national security.

Sources say that India will be able to share the information and key inputs gathered from these satellites about Chinese illegal and expansionist activities with other countries as well.

The surveillance satellite project aimed at improving land and maritime domain awareness for both civilian and military purposes is being managed by the National Security Council Secretariat in collaboration with the Defence Space Agency under the Defence Ministry’s integrated headquarters.

The project, with a budget of ₹26,968 crore, entails the construction and launch of 21 satellites by ISRO, while the remaining 31 will be developed by private companies.

Why is China a threat?

China had over 1,000 satellites in the space by 2024, a stark spike from 36 in 2010, reported Economic Times. Another report by Times of India noted that out of these satellites, 360 were exclusively dedicated to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.

ISRO’s long game

Advancements in satellite technology, space-based surveillance, and communication systems are critical for enhancing the country’s defence capabilities and growth in the sector, ISRO’s former Chairman Dr S Somanath had said in October 2024.

Dr S Somanath had emphasised on the pivotal role India's space sector plays in strengthening national security. The ISRO Chief discussed the significance of space in modern times, especially given the growing congestion and competition within the realm of satellite communication, navigation, space science, and earth observation.

He noted that space has become a crowded and contested field, with natural, accidental, and intentional hazards like jamming, anti-satellite (ASAT) threats, manoeuvering vehicles, and directed energy weapons creating complex operational risks.

Addressing these issues, ISRO is focusing on Space Situational Awareness (SSA), a comprehensive approach involving observation, analysis, and mitigation, to ensure the safety of its assets and national interests in space, he had said.

(with inputs from syndicated feed)