The IAF is undergoing a significant transformation as it seeks to become the Indian Air and Space Force (IASF) and expand its capabilities in the aerospace domain.

Indian Air And Space Force

The IAF is undergoing a significant transformation as it seeks to become the Indian Air and Space Force (IASF) and expand its capabilities in the aerospace domain. In line with this transformation, the IAF is intensifying its efforts to fully exploit the potential of space, moving beyond its current focus on intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, communication, and navigation capabilities.

Military Satellites

The IAF envisions India having over 100 military satellites, both large and small, within the next seven to eight years, with active participation from the private sector. Additionally, the Defence Space Agency, established in 2019, is set to evolve into a fully-fledged Space Command.

Mission Shakti

IAF chief ACM V R Chaudhari in recent months has also repeatedly stressed the need for India to develop both defensive and offensive capabilities in the space domain by building on the success of ‘Mission Shakti’ in March 2019. DRDO had then tested an anti-satellite (A-Sat) interceptor missile to destroy the 740-kg Microsat -R satellite at an altitude of 283-km in low earth orbit.

Near Future of Space Command

“Near space, at an altitude from 20 to 100 km, and outer space will be the ultimate high-ground in the battles of the future. Advanced winged bodies are being built to operate seamlessly between air and space. India has to be prepared for all this,” the source said.

Chinese- Space Command

China, of course, is rapidly developing and deploying A-Sat weapons from “Kinetic” ones like direct ascent missiles and co-orbital killers to “non-kinetic” high-powered lasers, electromagnetic pulse weapons, jammers and cyberweapons.

World Space Command

If China has the People’s Liberation Army Strategic Support Force for the space domain, the US created a full-fledged Space Force (USSF) as a distinct branch of its armed forces in 2019. Several other countries like the UK, Japan, France and Russia also have space commands or wings in their air forces.

IACCS

IAF’s existing fully-automated air defence network called integrated air command and control system (IACCS) will also have to evolve into integrated air and space command and control system (IASCCS). Space will have to be harnessed for the battlespace of the future.

Space Vision 2047

The IAF has formulated a new doctrine that focuses on the “air and space continuum“. The IAF believes that space is a critical enabler for aerospace power. They also believe that future wars might be decided on space.