Improved communication will ensure secure and reliable channels for military activities, while the capability to detect and track enemy submarines and other suspicious activities will strengthen India's defence, he told Sputnik India.
"Integrating artificial intelligence [AI] with these satellites will greatly enhance their efficiency. AI technology will allow the satellites to operate on their own, minimising the need for constant human input and enabling quicker and better data collection. This will lead to faster, more accurate decision-making in military situations, giving India a crucial advantage. AI will also simplify operations by managing data smartly, making it easier for ground teams to handle information and providing them with useful insights," Linganna underscored.
Improved surveillance, communication, and decision-making will provide India with a strategic advantage in modern warfare, ensuring it is ready to tackle new challenges. The use of AI will not only make operations more efficient but also drive technological advancements, positioning India as a strong player in defence and military technology, the analyst stressed.
However, this move does not indicate that India has any aggressive design, Rajiv Nayan, the Secretary-General of the Indian Association of International Studies, told Sputnik India. This also has an element of emerging technology, with Space touted as having new technological capabilities, he added.
"India tested ASAT in 2019 after considerable restraints for not years but decades. At the same time, India needs to keep its agencies and forces prepared for any event with the military domain evolving at a fast pace," Nayan stated.
This change aims to enhance its abilities in the aerospace field and make better use of both air and space in military operations. As space becomes more crucial in modern warfare, the IAF is focusing on using it for intelligence, surveillance, communication, and navigation — key areas for maintaining an advantage, Linganna reckoned in turn.
Additionally, the IAF is collaborating with organisations like ISRO and DRDO to develop advanced space technologies, including improvements in navigation, space weather prediction, and traffic management in space. The goal is to have over 100 military satellites in the next seven to eight years, significantly boosting its capabilities, the military and space commentator expressed.
"The Defence Space Agency, created in 2019, will evolve into a full-fledged Space Command, further strengthening India's space capabilities. This will enhance its surveillance, communication, and decision-making processes, ensuring that it stays at the forefront of technological advancements and is ready to face future challenges in warfare," Linganna concluded.