New Delhi, Nov 11 (UNI) The Defence Space Agency conducted the first ever space exercise Antariksha Abhyas-2024 here on Monday with the objective of securing national strategic objectives in space and helping integrate India’s space capability into military operations.
The three-day exercise is being organised by the Defence Space Agency of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, an official statement said.
In his opening address, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said, “Space, once considered the final frontier, is now the critical enabler of India’s defence and security apparatus. With its rich legacy of space exploration and growing military capabilities, India is well positioned to navigate the challenges posed to space based capabilities.”
Highlighting that space was becoming increasingly congested, contested, competitive, and commercial, the CDS impressed upon the military leadership to secure the national interests in space by fostering innovation and developing cutting edge technologies and state-of-the art systems in collaboration with DRDO, ISRO, and academia.
The space exercise aims to provide enhanced understanding of space based assets and services and to gain understanding of operational dependency on space segments between stakeholders.
Moreover, it intends to identify vulnerabilities in the conduct of operations in the event of denial or disruptions of space-based services. It will have participants from the Defence Space Agency and its allied units, along with personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Specialist branches under Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, viz., Defence Cyber Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency, and Strategic Forces Command, would also be active participants in the exercise.
Representatives from ISRO and the DRDO will also take part in it.
