Securing Space: Military Space Doctrine

Why is a Military Space Doctrine (MSD) Needed?

Space, once considered a peaceful domain reserved for scientific exploration, has become the next frontier of national defense. The militarization of space is no longer hypothetical. From anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons to space-based surveillance systems, nations are now aggressively securing strategic advantages beyond the atmosphere. A Military Space Doctrine is needed to provide a clear policy framework for how a country intends to use, secure, and if necessary, defend its assets in outer space.

Examples Highlighting the Need for MSD:

1. China’s ASAT Test (2007): China destroyed one of its own satellites using a ballistic missile, creating over 3,000 pieces of debris in low Earth orbit (LEO). This marked a turning point in global space policy and alarmed defense establishments worldwide.
2. U.S. Space Force Formation (2019): The United States formalized its space military ambitions with the establishment of the U.S. Space Force, a separate branch of the armed forces.
3. India’s Mission Shakti (2019): India successfully demonstrated ASAT capability by shooting down a live satellite in LEO. This was a powerful signal of India’s evolving military-space ambitions.
4. Ukraine-Russia War (2022–24): The war demonstrated how commercial satellite constellations (like Starlink) could be leveraged in real-time combat scenarios, blurring lines between civilian and military space assets.

What Does a Military Space Doctrine Include:

A Military Space Doctrine is a strategic document or framework that outlines a country’s objectives, principles, and capabilities concerning military operations in outer space. It usually includes policy directives, command structures, integration with other military branches, legal frameworks, and technological roadmaps.

Key Components of an MSD:

 Importance of Military Space Doctrine

1. National Security and Strategic Deterrence:  An MSD enhances national defense by protecting critical space infrastructure such as GPS, communication, and early-warning systems. It deters adversaries from pre-emptive strikes and sets clear red lines.
2. Preventing Space Militarization Escalation: By formalizing norms and doctrines, countries can avoid misunderstandings or inadvertent escalations. Clear doctrines ensure transparency and responsible behavior in space.
3. Enhancing Inter-Agency Coordination: MSD helps harmonize civilian and military efforts in space technology, optimizing budgets and technical expertise. It also coordinates efforts between ISRO/DRDO in India or NASA/DoD in the USA.
4. Preparedness for Emerging Threats: As space becomes contested, congested, and competitive (3C’s), doctrines ensure preparedness for emerging threats such as:
Directed energy weapons
Cyberattacks on satellites
Kinetic ASAT missiles
Electronic warfare (EW) jamming signals
5. Promoting Indigenous Capability Development: Doctrines push for strategic investments in indigenous satellite navigation systems (like India’s NavIC), secure satellite communication, space situational awareness, and space launch capabilities.
6. Leveraging Dual-Use Technologies: MSDs optimize the use of space assets for both civilian and military applications, maximizing return on investment.

 India’s Military Space Doctrine: A Work in Progress

India has taken major steps in developing a coherent military space policy, although a formal doctrine is yet to be fully articulated.

Key Developments in India:

India emphasizes “non-weaponization of outer space” in diplomatic forums but is clearly building deterrence and strategic autonomy through hard capabilities.

Comparison Table

 United States
1.Established U.S. Space Force in 2019.
2. Operates over 160 military satellites for navigation, communication, and missile tracking.
3. Follows the 2020 Defense Space Strategy, focusing on space dominance and proactive deterrence.
4. Uses the X-37B spaceplane for classified operations.
5. Deep integration with allies through NORAD, NATO, and Five Eyes.
China
1. Operates a comprehensive military space program under the PLA Strategic Support Force (SSF).
2. Conducts frequent counterspace activities including co-orbital ASAT systems.
3. Developed Beidou Navigation System, rival to GPS and NavIC.
4. Active in quantum communication satellites and AI-driven surveillance.
Russia
1. Maintains legacy space military programs from the Soviet era.
2. Focus on jamming, co-orbital satellites, and missile tracking.
3. Active in cyberwarfare capabilities and GLONASS navigation.
France
1. Released a military space doctrine (2019) and created Space Command.
2. Focuses on surveillance, laser defense, and cyber resilience in space.
Israel
1. Highly advanced in miniaturized surveillance satellites (e.g., Ofek series).
2. Focus on quick-launch responsive satellite capabilities for regional conflicts.

 Challenges in Framing and Implementing an MSD in India

1. Lack of Unified Doctrine:  Multiple agencies like ISRO, DRDO, and the Defence Space Agency (DSA) currently operate with distinct mandates and limited interoperability. The absence of a single, published Military Space Doctrine results in policy fragmentation, duplication of efforts, and delayed decision-making during crises.
2. Legal Constraints: India is a signatory to the Outer Space Treaty (OST) 1967, which prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in orbit. This international legal framework, while promoting peaceful use, constrains the development of offensive counter-space capabilities and limits strategic options in case of conflict.
3. Budget Constraints:  Military space operations, such as deploying satellite constellations, ASAT programs, and ground control infrastructure, demand substantial and sustained capital investment. Given competing priorities in defense (land, air, maritime), space often receives a smaller allocation, affecting long-term capability-building.
4. Human Resource Shortage:  There is a critical shortage of personnel trained in space science, orbital mechanics, AI integration, and satellite operations with a military lens. The absence of dedicated military-academic programs and limited collaboration with institutions like IIST or DRDO labs further hampers talent development.
5. Need for Cyber-Space Integration: Modern space warfare includes electronic warfare, cyber-attacks on satellite networks, and AI-driven decision systems. India must evolve beyond platform-based thinking to adopt a multi-domain doctrine integrating cyber, space, and electromagnetic operations for synchronized threat response.

 The Way Forward for India’s Military Space Doctrine

1. Formulation of an Integrated Military Space Doctrine (MSD):
India must institutionalize a comprehensive Military Space Doctrine that synchronizes the roles of the armed forces, ISRO, and private industry. This doctrine should outline strategic deterrence goals, asset protection, space situational awareness, and response mechanisms. It would serve as the foundational policy for coordinated space security planning and reflect India’s commitment to peaceful yet prepared uses of outer space.
2. Strengthening the Defence Space Agency (DSA):
The DSA, currently a tri-service body, needs more operational autonomy and budgetary authority to function effectively. Its mandate must evolve from coordination to active development and deployment of military space assets, including small satellites and counter-space technologies. A direct command chain under the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) can further enhance its strategic focus.
3. Development of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Capabilities:
Building indigenous SSA systems is vital to track, monitor, and predict the behavior of foreign satellites and debris. This includes radar and optical sensors, AI-enabled tracking, and global data fusion centers. Collaboration with nations like France, Japan, and the U.S. can further improve interoperability and early-warning mechanisms.
4. Indigenous Satellite Constellations for Strategic Communications and Reconnaissance:
India should accelerate the deployment of satellite constellations such as RISAT, GSAT, and CartoSat for persistent coverage and real-time communication. These assets must be encrypted, jam-resistant, and resilient to cyber threats. Future constellations could be launched in low-Earth orbit (LEO) to ensure redundancy and quicker refresh rates.
5. Investment in Counterspace and Defensive Technologies:
India must continue to invest in electronic warfare systems, directed energy weapons (like DEWs), and ASAT capability upgrades to safeguard its orbital infrastructure. Additionally, technologies such as satellite hardening, maneuverability, and cloaking techniques can serve as passive defense against enemy actions.
6. Public-Private-Academic Collaboration in Military Space Tech:
To foster innovation and rapid deployment, India should expand the involvement of startups and academic institutions in military space programs through the IN-SPACe and iDEX platforms. Dual-use technology spin-offs can improve both civilian and military capabilities while reducing dependency on foreign vendors.
7. International Norm-Shaping and Diplomacy:
India should take the lead in pushing for international treaties that ban space weaponization while securing its national interests. Proposing a No First Placement of Weapons in Space (NFPWS) doctrine or collaborating in forums like CD, UNIDIR, and BRICS can reinforce its image as a responsible space power while hedging against future legal asymmetries.

Conclusion

The Military Space Doctrine is no longer an abstract policy choice; it is a strategic necessity in an increasingly contested domain. With global powers racing toward space militarization, India must evolve from ad hoc measures to a coherent doctrine that aligns its strategic, scientific, and ethical imperatives.A robust MSD enables India to deter adversaries, protect its satellites, and ensure uninterrupted national services—ranging from communication to weather forecasting to defense intelligence. As technology blurs boundaries between civilian and military roles, India’s space doctrine must be forward-looking, resilient, and rooted in strategic autonomy and international peace.

Download Plutus IAS Current Affairs (Eng) 11th April 2025

Prelims Questions

Q. The Outer Space Treaty (OST) of 1967 prohibits which of the following?
2. Deployment of nuclear weapons in space
2. Militarization of celestial bodies
3. Peaceful use of outer space
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D