India’s military is signaling a strategic shift, calling for robust private sector involvement in building its satellite capabilities. Senior military leaders, speaking at the DefSpace Symposium 2026, emphasized that the nation cannot solely rely on the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to meet escalating demands in modern warfare. Space is now recognized not just as a support function but as a decisive battlefield.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan highlighted the need for a resilient, AI-enabled, quantum-secure, and sovereign space architecture. He stressed that future space power must be built collaboratively, treating space as a continuous operational asset. DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat echoed this sentiment, stating that space’s outcome will determine future battles and underscoring the importance of a ‘whole-of-nation’ approach. Lt. Gen. Zubin A. Minwalla advocated for speed, agility, and the intelligent integration of private industry, warning that reliance on a single agency is suboptimal.

This collective call signifies a move towards a diversified and dynamic model to build credible space power, fostering innovation across the defence and space ecosystems. This strategic pivot aims to secure India’s national security and technological sovereignty in the increasingly contested domain of space.