India to deploy “Bodyguard” satellites to safeguard national assets in space

This ambitious project aims to bolster satellite security by detecting and countering potential threats in low Earth orbit, including suspicious manoeuvres by foreign military satellites.

The decision gained urgency after a 2024 incident in which a neighbouring country’s reconnaissance satellite drifted within one kilometre of an ISRO spacecraft at an altitude of 500–600 km. While no collision occurred, defence analysts flagged the manoeuvre as a deliberate show of strength. To avert similar risks, India will integrate LiDAR-equipped satellites and ground-based radar systems capable of real-time threat identification and automatic repositioning of vulnerable assets to safe orbits.

In June, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit warned at the Surveillance and Electro-Optics India Seminar that advances in China’s People’s Liberation Army space capabilities posed a direct challenge to India’s strategic interests. In response, the SBS-3 plan will deploy AI-enabled satellites in geostationary orbit (36,000 km) that can communicate autonomously, share situational data, and coordinate evasive actions without ground intervention.

The bodyguard satellite fleet will continuously monitor the Pakistan–China border and other critical zones, offering persistent surveillance and rapid response. Domestic startups are collaborating with the Indian Space Research Organisation to develop compact LiDAR payloads and next-generation radar networks. Officials note that lessons from Operation Sindoor (May 2025), which exposed gaps in real-time tracking, underscored the need for dedicated defence satellites.

With the first tranche of bodyguard satellites slated for launch in 2026, India is poised to enhance its space security architecture and ensure uninterrupted functionality of its reconnaissance, communication, and navigation satellites. This transformative investment marks a significant step towards safeguarding India’s growing constellation against evolving threats and securing its interests in the increasingly contested domain of outer space.