India Hosts First-Ever Space Exercise ‘Antariksha Abhyas – 2024’ to Enhance Space Security
India’s Defence Space Agency, under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, has launched the country’s first-ever space-focused military exercise, ‘Antariksha Abhyas – 2024’, aimed at addressing the growing threats to space-based assets and services. The three-day exercise, which runs from November 11-13, 2024, is designed to war-game potential challenges related to space and enhance the integration of India’s space capabilities in military operations.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, in his opening address, emphasized the importance of space in modern defense strategies. He stated, “Space, once considered the final frontier, is now a critical enabler of India’s defense and security apparatus. With India’s rich legacy in space exploration and its growing military capabilities, we are well-positioned to navigate the challenges posed to space-based assets.”
General Chauhan highlighted that space is rapidly becoming more congested, contested, competitive, and commercialized, requiring India to adopt advanced technologies and systems to protect its space interests. He urged military leadership to foster innovation in collaboration with key organizations such as DRDO, ISRO, and academic institutions to ensure India remains at the forefront of space security.
The exercise aims to enhance the understanding of space-based assets and their operational significance. It will also focus on identifying vulnerabilities in military operations if space-based services are disrupted or denied. By simulating space-related scenarios, Antariksha Abhyas – 2024 will provide crucial insights into operational dependencies on space and the coordination required between various defense stakeholders.
Participants in the exercise include personnel from the Defence Space Agency, the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with specialized units under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, such as the Defence Cyber Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency, and Strategic Forces Command. Experts from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will also contribute to the exercise.
The exercise is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing India’s space security framework and integrating its space capabilities into defense operations, ensuring national strategic objectives are met in an increasingly complex space domain.
