Space Technology is Redefining Maritime Security in South Asia – The Diplomat

Source Domain: thediplomat.com

The Indian Ocean is an increasingly contested strategic theater, and as competition intensifies, its nature is evolving as well. Maritime power is no longer confined to fleet size, overseas bases, and control over choke points. The effectiveness of modern navies increasingly depends on maritime domain awareness, real-time threat detection, and the ability to project power across vast oceanic spaces.

As they enable better navigation, communications, and surveillance, space-based assets are becoming critical to ensuring maritime security and projecting power. Recognizing this shift, India has begun integrating space capabilities into its maritime framework. China, too, is expanding its orbital presence over the Indian Ocean. This dynamic is further accentuating the asymmetries in South Asia. As most South Asian littoral states have limited capacity to monitor and respond to evolving threats independently, they rely largely on external powers for maritime surveillance.

The maritime domain is undergoing structural transformation driven by automation, digitalization, and remote-control technologies. Consequently, both civilian and military operations increasingly rely on satellite-enabled connectivity and real-time data integration. Amid these technological shifts, non-traditional security challenges are on the rise and major powers are increasing their military presence in the Indian Ocean region. Traditional surveillance platforms are increasingly inadequate as systems such as maritime patrol aircraft and surface vessels alone cannot provide persistent, real-time coverage across vast oceanic spaces. As a result, integrating space-based surveillance capabilities into the maritime sphere has become increasingly important.

The integration of space technologies improves real-time surveillance, navigation precision and connectivity. Satellites equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and electro-optical imaging enable persistent coverage irrespective of weather…

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