SOURCE: AFI
A recent report by Pakistan’s National Defence University (NDU) has raised concerns about the rapid emergence of India’s private space sector, claiming that it could significantly enhance India’s ballistic missile production capabilities. The report suggests that the growth of private space operators in India may not only boost the country’s civilian space ventures but also potentially lead to the increased production of ballistic missile components and related technologies.
India’s private space sector has been gaining momentum, especially following the government’s decision to open the space industry to private players in 2020. The establishment of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) and other reforms have paved the way for private companies to collaborate with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in satellite launches, space exploration, and other space-related activities.
Companies like Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, and Pixxel have made significant strides in developing their own space launch vehicles and satellite technologies, marking a new era for India’s space ambitions. These firms have also attracted investments and partnerships from global space entities, bolstering India’s private space capabilities.
The NDU report from Pakistan suggests that this flourishing private space sector may have military implications, specifically in the domain of ballistic missile development. According to the report, the dual-use nature of space technology, which can be applied both to civilian space exploration and to military missile programs, is a cause for concern.
Pakistan, which has its own ballistic missile program, views India’s advancements in space technology, particularly through the involvement of private operators, as a potential threat. The report speculates that India could leverage the expertise and technologies developed by private space firms to enhance its missile production capabilities, which could alter the strategic balance in the region.
India’s ballistic missile program is already well-established, with missiles such as the Agni series and Prithvi series forming a crucial part of its nuclear deterrent. The NDU report argues that the expansion of private space operators could accelerate India’s production of missile-related components, such as propulsion systems, guidance technologies, and satellite-based navigation systems, which are essential for precision strike capabilities.
The NDU report also points to India’s advanced space launch vehicles, such as the PSLV and GSLV, which share technological parallels with missile delivery systems. Pakistan fears that by allowing private companies to develop their own launch vehicles and space infrastructure, India may indirectly bolster its ability to produce sophisticated missile systems.
India has consistently maintained that its space program is focused on peaceful applications and the socio-economic benefits of space technology. The opening up of the private space sector is seen as a move to boost innovation, technological advancements, and commercial space ventures rather than to enhance military capabilities.
ISRO and Indian defense officials have repeatedly emphasized the civilian nature of India’s space ambitions. The primary goals include space exploration, satellite launches, disaster management, climate monitoring, and enhancing communication and connectivity across the country. However, the dual-use nature of space technologies, a common concern for many nations with space programs, remains a point of contention in the geopolitical landscape.
Pakistan’s concern over India’s space program and its potential military spin-offs is not new, but the focus on private space operators marks a shift in the narrative. The report from the NDU reflects Islamabad’s unease about the future trajectory of India’s space program, especially as private companies become more involved.