Underlining the growing importance of space, Chief of Defence Staff(CDS)General Anil Chauhan said here on Thursday he believes that space is already an established domain of warfare and it will “cast its influence” on air, maritime and land domains.
Making this assertion in a recorded video address that was played at the inaugural session of the three-day Indian Defence Space Symposium. General Chauhan also said that “space diplomacy” will soon become a reality.
Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Samir V Kamat and other senior officers of the armed forces attended the event held at the Manekshaw Centre here.
In his address, General Chauhan underlined the role of space evolving in future warfare. “I will touch upon where we are and where we need to go,” he said.
“Space is called the final frontier. Space is infinite in its expanse and is also expanding. Like all other frontiers, it is difficult to define its edges very clearly. Mankind has a long way to go to unravel the mystery of space. India wants to be part of that journey,” the CDS said. He also spoke about the four “cosmonauts under training” as part of India’s “Gaganyaan” programme.
“Space is also referred to as an emerging domain of warfare. I believe that it is already an established domain of warfare. My belief is premised on the fast-paced development occurring in this particular domain,” he said.
General Chauhan said the history of warfare has “taught us that in any war, the initial contest generally occurs in a new domain.” The new domain also influences the battles in older domains, he added.
“Initially, the naval power was able to influence battles on land. Later, air power influenced war at land and seas. It is my belief that now, space will cast its influence on air, maritime and land domains,” General Chauhan said in his video address.
Terming space a “global commons”, he said there can be “no concept of sovereignty in space.” The CDS also said “space diplomacy will soon become a reality”.
One does not have to be a neighbour to extend cooperation in space to friendly nations. Distances and geopolitical separations might be of “advantage in defence space cooperation”, he added.
Navy Chief Kumar said despite countless challenges and denial of technology, Indian space scientists have shown the world that India has the “will, wisdom and wherewithal” to be an “ace in space.”
Admiral Kumar also said it is not rocket science to realise that in “Amrit Kaal”, India is “leading the charge at escape velocity” in the space sector. Domain experts and senior officials from the armed forces are taking part in the symposium.
