Space Ties Key For Military Self-Reliance: MCEME Commandant
The discussions focused on the use of space for military operations, India’s efforts to develop indigenous capabilities and emerging technologies that could support the Armed Forces.
Hyderabad:Greater collaboration among the armed forces, scientific institutions and private industry is essential for developing resilient space capabilities and achieving technological self-reliance, Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME) Commandant Lt Gen. I.S. Rathore said at a seminar in Secunderabad on Saturday.
Describing space as an increasingly important domain of modern warfare, he called for stronger partnerships to advance India’s indigenous military space capabilities. The seminar, held at MCEME under the aegis of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), brought together senior military officers, academics, government representatives and private space companies.
The discussions focused on the use of space for military operations, India’s efforts to develop indigenous capabilities and emerging technologies that could support the Armed Forces.
One session, moderated by Lt Gen. K. Surendra Nath (Retd), examined space as a warfighting domain, including geopolitical competition, deterrence, military power, space situational awareness and emerging threats.
Another session explored India’s indigenous military space capabilities through a fireside discussion involving representatives of the Telangana government, space companies Skyroot and Sanyark, and start-ups GalaxEye and VyomIC. The deliberations centred on indigenous innovation, industry partnerships and strategies for developing sovereign space capabilities for the Armed Forces.
The third session examined emerging technologies for military operations, including quantum technologies for securing space communications, the use of space-based imagery for surveillance and the military applications of indigenous satellites.
Lt Gen. Rathore said the seminar would serve as a platform for exchanging ideas and building partnerships in line with the Indian Army’s Decade of Transformation and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The discussions come amid growing military interest in space-based capabilities, particularly satellite communications, surveillance and timely access to imagery for operational awareness. Developing indigenous systems and expertise remains a key component of efforts to strengthen the Armed Forces’ ability to operate in this domain.
MCEME Deputy Commandant and chief instructor Maj. Gen. Pradeep Godara acknowledged the contributions of speakers, participants and other stakeholders.