New Delhi, April 25 (NationPress) — Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Friday, April 25, made a strong case for building dedicated space infrastructure for national security, asserting that India's satellite-based communication backbone must be significantly strengthened. Speaking in the context of recent military operations, he also highlighted that human space missions like ISRO's Gaganyaan are far more complex than conventional satellite missions and require considerably more time to execute safely.

Shukla's Call for Sovereign Space Infrastructure

Group Captain Shukla acknowledged that indigenous satellite-based communication has played a pivotal role in enabling India to successfully execute precision military operations, including surgical strikes like Operation Sindoor. He described this satellite network as the "backbone" of India's strategic defence posture.

"Yes, it is the backbone which we have to make stronger. We need to create a space infrastructure for national security. Our backbone should be strong," Shukla said in an interview.

He further pointed to ongoing government initiatives, specifically referencing the SBS-3 satellite programme, which he said is already working in this direction. "I think very soon, our sovereign infrastructure for these things will be very strong and self-sufficient from the perspective of national security," he added, underlining India's push toward strategic autonomy in space.

Why Space Infrastructure Matters for India's Defence

India's growing reliance on space-based assets for military operations is not new, but Shukla's remarks come at a particularly significant moment. Operation Sindoor — India's cross-border precision strike operation — demonstrated in real time how satellite communication, surveillance, and navigation form the invisible backbone of modern warfare.

Notably, India's Defence Space Agency (DSA), established in 2019, was created precisely to integrate space capabilities into military operations. However, experts and defence analysts have long argued that India remains partially dependent on foreign satellite infrastructure for certain critical functions, making indigenous capacity-building a matter of urgent national priority.

The reference to SBS-3 — a strategic communication satellite — signals that ISRO and India's defence establishment are actively closing this gap. This aligns with India's Space Policy 2023, which explicitly identified national security as a core driver of India's space programme investments.

Gaganyaan Mission: Complexity and Timelines

Group Captain Shukla, who is among the astronauts selected for ISRO's Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, elaborated on why the mission has taken longer than initially projected. He drew a clear distinction between satellite missions and crewed spaceflight.

"A human space mission is much more complex. Many technologies need to be developed for this because in this case a human life needs to be preserved when he or she is sent into space. That is why it takes time," he explained.

He also addressed the uncertainty inherent in developmental space programmes. "Especially in the developmental programme, there is a period of great uncertainty for any astronaut about when the mission will take place, what will be its duration or definition," he said. He noted that missions often begin with one concept and evolve significantly — a natural part of the development process.

Crucially, Shukla declined to commit to any specific launch timeline, stating: "Only after the test mission will we get the confidence level to know when exactly we will be able to carry out this mission."

Fellow Astronaut Nair on Gaganyaan Preparations

Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, another astronaut shortlisted for the Gaganyaan mission, offered an update on the training and preparatory activities underway. He expressed confidence in India's readiness, saying, "In India, we are always prepared."

Nair revealed that the astronaut cohort recently completed prototype training in Leh, simulating high-altitude conditions relevant to mission scenarios. Upcoming training modules include psychological and medical training with the Aerospace Medicine Department.

Additionally, Nair confirmed that at ISRO, the team is actively conducting design reviews of the Gaganyaan crew capsule, a critical step before any crewed mission can be greenlit.

Broader Implications: India's Space Race and Strategic Autonomy

India's ambitions in space are accelerating on multiple fronts simultaneously. ISRO is not only developing the Gaganyaan crewed mission but is also expanding its commercial launch capabilities, lunar exploration under Chandrayaan, and now deepening its military space infrastructure. The convergence of these programmes reflects a strategic vision where space is no longer just a scientific frontier but a domain of national power.

Globally, this mirrors a broader trend: the United States Space Force, China's PLA Strategic Support Force, and several European nations have all dramatically increased defence space spending post-2020. India's moves, while comparatively measured, are directionally aligned with this global shift.

With the Gaganyaan uncrewed test flight expected to precede any crewed mission, and with India's defence space infrastructure expanding rapidly, the coming 12-24 months are likely to be defining for India's position as a serious space power — both scientifically and strategically.