Why in the News?

The Defence Space Agency, under Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, is conducting Antariksha Abhyas – 2024, a pioneering three-day exercise from November 11 to 13. This exercise aims to address the growing threats to and from space-based assets and services. It marks a significant milestone in India's efforts to integrate space capabilities into military operations and secure national strategic objectives in space.

About the Exercise or Antariksha Abhyas – 2024

• Purpose: The exercise focuses on war-gaming space-related threats and ensuring national security in space, integrating India’s growing space capabilities into military operations.
• Participants:
  • Defence Space Agency and allied units from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
  • Defence Cyber Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency, and Strategic Forces Command are also participating.
  • ISRO and DRDO representatives will play a key role in the exercise.
• Objectives:
  • To better understand the operational dependencies on space-based services and assets.
  • To identify vulnerabilities in military operations in case of disruptions or denial of space-based services.
  • To enhance collaboration with stakeholders, including ISRO, DRDO, and academia.
• Key Focus: The exercise emphasizes securing national interests in space as space becomes increasingly congested, contested, competitive, and commercial.
• Chief of Defence Staff Statement: General Anil Chauhan stressed the critical role of space in India’s defence and security, underscoring the importance of fostering innovation and developing advanced technologies to secure national interests.