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Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan launched "Antariksha Abhyas," the first-ever tri-services defence space exercise.
The defence space exercise, which started on November 11, is being conducted by the Defence Space Agency of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff This exercise is preparing the Indian Armed Forces to secure space assets and integrate cutting-edge technology to protect our future, an official release said. While addressing the inaugural event, CDS Gen Chauhan said, "Space, once considered the final frontier is now the critical enabler of India's defence and security apparatus. With its rich legacy of space exploration and growing military capabilities, India is well positioned to navigate the challenges posed to space-based capabilities.". Highlighting that Space was becoming increasingly congested, contested, competitive and commercial, the CDS impressed upon the military leadership to secure our national interests in space by fostering innovation and developing cutting-edge technologies and state-of-the art systems in collaboration with DRDO, ISRO and Academia. CDS Gen Chauhan reaffirmed the commitment to enhancing capabilities in space warfare, underscoring the need to 'control over space assets results directly into national security advantage'. He further emphasised the need to develop concepts and procedures and protect against vulnerabilities to secure our national interests in space. The CDS also outlined the increase in India's space-based capabilities. He highlighted the need to develop concepts and procedures to exploit the expansion of India's capabilities in space. As per a government release, 'Antariksha Abhyas 2024', a three-day exercise to war-game the growing threats from and to space-based assets and services, is being conducted by the Defence Space Agency's Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff from November 11 to 13. Exercise 'Antariksha Abhyas' is a first of its kind exercise being conducted and is expected to help secure national strategic objectives in space and integrate India's space capability in military operations, the release said. Space Exercise aimed to provide an enhanced understanding of space-based assets and services and to gain an understanding of operational dependency on space segments between stakeholders. Additionally, it intends to identify vulnerabilities in the conduct of operations in the event of denial or disruptions of space-based services. It will have participants from the Defence Space Agency and its allied units, along with personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force. Specialist branches under Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, viz., Defence Cyber Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency and Strategic Forces Command, would also be active participants in the conduct of the exercise, the release said. Representatives from the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Defence Research & Development Organisation will also take part in it. (ANI)
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