These developments also present an opportunity to reevaluate India's role in the field of space technology, particularly in terms of its military applications. The unprecedented technological progress in space has made it a crucial component in modern warfare, seamlessly integrating with land, sea, air, and cyberspace. As a result, space has become a testing ground for kinetic energy direct ascent anti-satellite weapons, and China has emerged as a prominent player in this arena. The country's rapidly expanding civil space.

India recognizes the imperative to actively engage in the space domain, considering it not just an option but a necessity. However, there are evident disparities that need to be addressed.

China has adopted a significant strategy known as military-civil fusion (MCF), which plays a crucial role in its space endeavors. By elevating space capabilities to a national priority, China aims to lead the global space race. President Xi Jinping solidified this ambition in 2016 by calling for China to become the foremost global space power by 2045.

While China is promoting the growth of private space companies, the military remains the primary driver of the nation's space activities. State-owned enterprises with a focus on defense are responsible for carrying out these endeavors. An example of this military-civil fusion approach is the China National Space Administration (CNSA), which operates under the State Administration for Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense.

China's remarkable accomplishments in space infrastructure serve as a testament to its progress. These achievements include the successful launch of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, the establishment of a high-resolution earth observation system, the development of a reliable satellite communications network, and the completion of its three-step lunar exploration program.

The BeiDou system, in particular, has allowed China to propose a "Space Silk Road" as part of its Belt and Road Initiative, offering global navigational autonomy that could be crucial in potential global conflicts.

China's advancements in various technologies, such as jammers and lasers, pose a potential threat to India's satellites. These developments enhance China's offensive capabilities in space, enabling activities like satellite hacking, outcome manipulation, and the deployment of "parasitic microsatellites." Moreover, China's BeiDou satellite navigation system, consisting of 35 orbiting satellites, provides broader global coverage compared to India's Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), which operates with eight satellites and offers regional coverage of up to 1,500 km from India's borders.

In light of China's growing offensive counter-space capabilities, which include the use of jamming techniques, offensive cyberspace capabilities, and directed energy weapons to target adversary satellites, it becomes imperative to closely assess India's space program.

For instance, when comparing the payload capacity of China's Long March 5 rocket to India's GSLV-Mk3, China's rocket can accommodate payloads that are five times greater. Additionally, China demonstrated its capacity by launching a total of 55 satellites in 2021 alone.

India, while proud of its existing launch capabilities, recognizes the need for increased focus, technological advancements, and budgetary allocation in the space domain. (IPA Service)