Army ready for satellite spying

18 Sep 2006, 0104 hrs IST , Rajat Pandit , TNN

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2000573.cms
NEW DELHI: For a country which views itself as a regional superpower and has a robust space
programme, India's use of space-based assets for military purposes has been quite modest so far.

But now, the armed forces are poised to take a major leap forward in harnessing space as 'a potent force-
multiplier', with the hush-hush satellite-based surveillance and reconnaissance (SBS) programme making
'steady progress' towards completion, say sources.

A joint Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation
(Isro) venture, worth over Rs 1,000 crore, the SBS project was initially scheduled for completion by 2005-
end.

But after slippages, the Cabinet Committee on Security has extended its timeframe to January 31, 2007.

While some problems might still crop up, the armed forces say the SBS project, once fully-operational, will
allow them to keep closer tabs on troop movements, missile silos, military installations and airbases of
neighbouring countries, as well as augment surveillance over Indian airspace.