India is to launch a military satellite to cater for the requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and army. While the IAF was earlier planning a satellite of its own, a decision has been taken to share transponders with the army, for communications as well as reconnaissance.
The former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, had said in February 2009 that the IAF would launch a satellite of its own in mid-2010.
The Indian Navy is working on a separate satellite because of its requirement for a larger and separate footprint.
Sources in the IAF also said the Indian Anti Satellite (ASAT) weapons program, mentioned by the Scientific Adviser to the Defense Minister Dr. VK Sarawat some months back, was underway. “Every country will need ASAT”, shrugged a senior IAF officer.
