‘Antariksha Abhyas – 2024’: India’s First Military Space Exercise Focuses on Securing Space-Based Assets

New Delhi: A pioneering three-day exercise, ‘Antariksha Abhyas – 2024’, is currently underway from November 11-13, organized by the Defence Space Agency under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff. The exercise, a first of its kind, is designed to war-game and assess the growing threats to and from space-based assets and services, a critical component of India’s defense and security strategy.

In his opening address, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan emphasized the increasing importance of space in modern defense operations, stating, “Space, once considered the final frontier, is now the critical enabler of India’s defence and security apparatus.” He further highlighted that with India’s rich legacy of space exploration and its rapidly advancing military capabilities, the country is well-positioned to tackle the challenges posed by the evolving space domain. “Space is becoming increasingly congested, contested, competitive, and commercial. To secure our national interests in space, we must foster innovation and develop cutting-edge technologies in collaboration with DRDO, ISRO, and academic institutions,” General Chauhan remarked.

‘Antariksha Abhyas’ aims to enhance understanding of space-based assets and services, focusing on how various stakeholders, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, depend on space operations. The exercise also seeks to identify potential vulnerabilities in military operations if space-based services were disrupted or denied. This will help improve preparedness and response strategies in the event of threats to India’s space infrastructure.

The exercise features participants from a broad spectrum of defense and space organizations, including the Defence Space Agency, Army, Navy, and Air Force. Specialist branches under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, such as the Defence Cyber Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency, and Strategic Forces Command, will also actively participate. Additionally, representatives from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will contribute their expertise.

As India’s space capabilities continue to expand, exercises like ‘Antariksha Abhyas – 2024’ play a vital role in ensuring that the country’s military forces are fully integrated with and capable of leveraging space assets to secure national strategic objectives. This exercise underscores the growing significance of space as a domain of defense, ensuring India remains resilient in the face of evolving global challenges in space security.