At a time of rising Indo-Pak tensions, India's space agency is turning its eyes to the sky, not just for exploration, but for national security. For ISRO, space has become an essential tool to watch over the country.
Satellites guarding India's skies and seas
Speaking at the fifth convocation of Central Agricultural University in Agartala, ISRO chairman V Narayanan said ten satellites are currently keeping constant watch. These are used round the clock for strategic operations to ensure citizen safety. “To protect our country, we must rely on satellites,” Narayanan said during his address. He stressed the need to closely monitor India’s 7,000 km-long coastline. Without satellite and drone technologies, several key goals would remain unachievable, he added.
ISRO has so far launched 127 Indian satellites, including those developed by private players and academic institutions. Of these, 22 are in low Earth orbit and 29 in geosynchronous orbit, operated by the central government. Around a dozen of these satellites are for surveillance purposes. They include the Cartosat and RISAT series, along with EMISAT and MicroSat systems. Each has a specific surveillance task, aimed at strengthening India’s strategic reach.
Future focus: Defence and private sector
Just days earlier, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) chief Pawan Kumar Goenka announced a major step forward. India plans to launch a constellation of 52 satellites over the next five years. This will significantly boost defence surveillance capabilities.
“We already have solid systems in place,” Goenka said at the Global Space Exploration Conference 2025. “But upgrades are needed continuously.” He also noted that future developments would involve the private sector, breaking away from ISRO’s exclusive role. These new satellites will help track enemy movements, support military operations, and provide real-time monitoring for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
New launches and a vision for the future
Narayanan’s remarks come ahead of ISRO’s scheduled launch of the EOS-09 (RISAT-1B) radar imaging satellite on 18 May. This satellite, placed in a sun-synchronous orbit, will further improve India’s watch along its sensitive borders.
Beyond security, Narayanan said that satellite technology is crucial for development. He highlighted ISRO’s ongoing projects in the northeast, saying these systems are helping drive local progress. Predicting a bright future, Narayanan expressed hope that India would be a global leader before its centenary of independence. He urged graduating students to give back to society and use their education to help the nation grow.
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