Time for a joint space exercise

Source: The post is based on an article “Time for a joint space exercise” published in The Hindu on 8^th September 2022.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests

Relevance: India and US bilateral relations

News: India and the U.S. will undertake joint military drills in October in Auli. The location is at an altitude of 10,000 feet and some 95 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

India and the US should also join hands in the space war exercises.

Why Space drill is important?

First, this drill will push India’s defense partnership into a new sphere.

Second, it will also send a strong message to the common opponents like China.

Third, it will have other positive outcome which is required for the wider Quad.

Fourth, India and US, in the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) meeting, identified space as a critical area of cooperation.

Fifth, China has advanced to the Cis-Lunar space (region beyond the geosynchronous orbit). It is done with an ambition to establish a permanent presence on the Moon by 2024.

Sixth, Space has assets that form the bedrock of the modern economy; GPS (PNT — position navigation timing), telecom networks, early warning systems for missiles.

How has India performed in space force?

Space in India has mostly remained under the sole jurisdiction of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

However, the successful demonstration of anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test and first ever simulated space warfare exercise (IndSpaceX) in 2019 has changed the image of space being limited to ISRO.

The government has also set up the Defence Space Research Agency (DSRA) to help develop space-based weapons for the DSA.

Space is now equally recognised as a military domain as land, water, air and cyber.

How can India and the US join hands in space warfare programs?

Space has been an important critical area of cooperation in the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) meeting between India and the U.S.

India and the US can cooperate in a joint anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test because both the countries have shown capabilities in this.

ASAT is a missile launched from the Earth’s surface to destroy a satellite passing overhead.

What are the challenges associated with space exercise?

There is a possibility of China-Pakistan collusion against India.

It will derail the ongoing Core Commanders dialogue in Ladakh.

It may lead to militarization of space.