Mission DefSpace

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    • Indian Prime Minister recently launched “Mission DefSpace” at DefExpo22.

    More about the news

    • About:
      • “Mission DocSpace” is launched for developing innovative solutions for the Armed Forces.
      • The Prime Minister also released the fourth defence indigenisation list which bars the import of 101 items after certain timelines.
    • Significance of Space diplomacy:
      • Space technology is shaping new definitions of India’s generous space diplomacy, giving rise to new possibilities.
      • There are more than 60 developing countries with whom India is sharing its space science. The South Asia satellite is an effective example of this. 
      • By next year, 10 Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries will also get real-time access to India’s satellite data. 
      • Even developed countries like Europe and America are using our satellite data.
    • Fourth defence indigenisation list:
      • As part of efforts to boost the domestic defence industry and promote defence exports, the Defence Ministry promulgated Positive Indigenisation Lists.
      • It lays special focus on equipment/systems, which are being developed and likely to translate into firm orders in the next five to 10 years.
        • The Defence Ministry had earlier promulgated the first, second and third Positive Indigenisation Lists, comprising 310 items.
      • The items on the lists cannot be imported by the Services and should be sourced from within the country.

    New developments at DefExpo2022

    • HTT-40 aircraft:
      • The HTT-40 indigenous trainer aircraft was unveiled at the India Pavilion during the Expo.
        • It is designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
    • Deesa airfield:
      • The foundation stone for the Deesa airfield in Gujarat which will be a forward Air Force base was also unveiled. 
        • Forward air force base would add to the security architecture of the country. 
    • Indian Ocean Region plus (IOR+) conclave:
      • The 2nd Indian Ocean Region plus (IOR+) conclave was also held during the Expo, 
        • This will provide a stage for a comprehensive dialogue to promote defence cooperation amongst IOR+ nations to foster peace, growth, stability and prosperity.
        • It is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). 
    • India-Africa Defence Dialogue:
      • India-Africa Defence Dialogue was held on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022.
      • Gandhinagar Declaration was adopted to enhance cooperation in the fields of training & military exercises.
      • The theme of the second India-Africa defence dialogue was: 
        • “Adopting strategies for synergising and strengthening defence and security cooperation”.
    • This is the first defence expo where only Indian companies are participating and it features only Made in India equipment.

    Significance of the Space industry

    •  Assessing & recording weather information:
      • Satellites provide more accurate information on weather forecasts. 
      • It can also assess (and record) long-term trends in the climate and habitability of a region. 
        • For example, by monitoring the long-term impact of climate change at regional, territorial, and national scales, governments would be able to devise more pragmatic and combative plans of action for farmers and dependent industries. 
    • Real-time tracking:
      • Satellites can serve as real-time monitoring and early-warning solutions against natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, wildfires, mining etc. 
      • Real-time tracking can also serve multiple purposes in defence.
    • Communication and connectivity:
      • As for connectivity, satellite communication can reach more remote areas where conventional networks would require heavy complimenting infrastructure. 
      • Additionally, as to the reliability, the World Economic Forum(WEF) stated that satellite communication can help connect 49% of the world’s unconnected population. 
      • In this light, it must be noted that satellite communications, which are used to facilitate telecommunication services, are among the major categories for investment in the space technology sector. 
      • Other prominent categories include spacecraft and equipment manufacturing.
    • Benefits to other sectors:
      • The space avenue is an integration of the aerospace, IT hardware and telecom sectors. 
      • It is thus argued that investment in this arena would foster positive carryover effects to other sectors as well.

    Potential of India’s space sector

    • Recently, a joint report was prepared by EY and the Indian Space Association (ISpA).
      • Report highlights:
        • Indian space economy:
          • The Indian space economy is set to reach $13 billion by 2025, according to this joint report.
        • Space launch segment:
          • The report also said the space launch segment would grow fastest at a CAGR of 13% spurred by growing private participation, latest technology adoption and low cost of launch services.
        • Satellite services and application segment:
          • This segment would form the largest share of the space economy accounting for 36% of the space economy by 2025, as per the study.
          • On the country’s satellite manufacturing opportunity, it said in 2020 it was $2.1 billion and this would reach $3.2 billion by 2025.
          • Also, by 2025, satellite manufacturing would be the second fastest-growing segment in the Indian space economy. 
        • Space tech start-ups:
          • There are over 100 space tech start-ups in the country and investments in space tech start-ups increased 196% y-o-y in 2021, the survey said.
        • Space parks:
          • Space parks that are coming up across the country would give a fillip to companies operating across the space value chain, especially manufacturing, found the study.

    Source: TH

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