India Space Doctrine: India will soon have its first Military Space Doctrine and National Space Policy, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan announced on Monday. Speaking at the Indian DefSpace Symposium 2025 in New Delhi, he said these important documents should be ready in the next two to three months.
The Defence Space Agency is currently working on these plans to strengthen India’s space security. General Chauhan explained that India aims to build a $44 billion space economy, which will need close cooperation between private companies, the armed forces, DRDO, and IN-SPACe.
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“We need to strengthen satellite services, boost manufacturing and launch operations, stimulate the domestic market, and build state-of-the-art infrastructure to position India as a global leader in the space sector,” he said, reported by Outlook Business.
General Chauhan clarified that military space efforts should focus on Earth’s nearby orbits Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) rather than distant galaxies.
“In space, our focus should be on those orbital regions that directly affect terrestrial warfare and national security, not distant galaxies,” he said. “To my fellow members of the armed forces in the audience today: we, as military professionals, need to remain practical and focused. The realm of interplanetary or intergalactic travel belongs to the world of science fiction for now. Let’s leave that exploration to others. Our responsibility lies in clearly defining and operating within the scope of military space.”
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The Defence Chief also stressed the need for India’s armed forces to have specialized training in space warfare.
“I believe it’s imperative that all our military services eventually have their own Space Warfare Schools. This is a necessary evolution. As Indians, we must reposition ourselves as a culture that not only respects but deeply values space-related knowledge and research. This mindset shift is vital,” he said.
He also mentioned that the upcoming Space Activities Bill 2025 will bring major reforms to India’s space sector.
General Chauhan’s speech highlighted India’s growing focus on space security and the need for strong partnerships between the government, military, and private companies to make the country a leader in space technology.
