India conducted its first ever space exercises

According to the ministry, the three-day exercises were focused on ‘enhancing the integration of space capability into military operations and providing a better understanding of operational dependencies on space assets’. Another goal was to identify vulnerabilities and handle disruptions or denial of space-based services.

Antariksha Abhyas 2024 (Hindi for ‘Exercises in the Sky’) involved staff from the Indian Defence Space Agency and its departments, army, navy and air force servicemen. Participants discussed latest space technologies and India’s space programmes.

According to India’s Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan, ‘space, once considered the final frontier, is now the critical enabler of India’s defence and security apparatus’.

“With its rich legacy of space exploration and growing military capabilities, India is well positioned to navigate the challenges posed to space-based capabilities,” said the general, adding that as space becomes increasingly more overloaded, competitive, and commercialised, it’s vital to ensure India’s national interests there by developing innovations, designing advanced technologies and modern systems.