New Delhi: At the Indian DefSpace Sympiosium 2026 organised by the Indian Space Association (ISPA) in New Delhi, leaders highlighted the need for developing sovereign capabilities in the space domain, with the advancement of novel technologies. India cannot afford to rely on foreign systems for its defence needs. The DRDO Chief called for boosting the domestic research ecosystem, with more funds allocated for development overall, as well as particularly for defence. Leaders also highlighted the need to develop future-ready space tech, capable of handling novel, emerging threats. Enhancing India’s capabilities in space is not just a tech goal, but a strategic imperative for deterrence.
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (Retd), Former Chief of Air Staff said, “It is time to think big, act big, and change the norms. We need to redraw the landscape if we are serious about achieving meaningful outcomes. Three years down the line, we must ask ourselves what have we achieved. The key lesson is technological sovereignty in critical areas essential for military operations, and this can only be achieved by designing and developing systems within the country. The challenge is not technology, but how we are attempting to implement change using legacy processes. We cannot continue to approach space capability development using traditional methods. Time is no longer a luxury.”
Convergence between industry capabilities and defence requirements
Rahul Vatts, Chief Regulatory Officer, Bharti Airtel and Vice Chairman, ISPA said, “The Indian DefSpace Symposium has become an important forum for understanding defence requirements, industry capabilities, and the convergence between the two. This is where satellite communications become critical. India is now at the cusp of launching satellite communication services. There are also important considerations around reliability, security, and supply chains. As an Indian, I believe we should develop our own satellite communication systems. Satellite communications can play a critical role in enabling this, contributing not just to defence capabilities but also to economic growth. The road ahead is significant, and we are entering a phase where discussions and planning must translate into execution.”