Topic:
Country: India
Delegate Name: Claire Williams
The space race is a staple in the space age and space history. In the 1960s the Soviet Union and the United States were in the middle of the Cold War. Both sides were suspicious of one another and believed the other was planning to start a war on each other. So, to stop this from happening, both the United States and the Soviet Union sent military satellites into space. On October 4, 1957, the Soviets sent the first satellite called Sputnik I. Although, the Soviet Union sent the first revolving satellite, the United States ultimately won on July 20, 1969, with the Apollo Program landing on the moon. Ever since this event this led to the expansion of militarization of outer space.
India has contributed to the technological advances in militarizing space. India uses ASAT missiles, this missile is a key part of the Indian Ballistic Missile Defense and The Defense Space Agency. The Defence Space Agency is a tri-service agency of the Indian Armed Forces. The agency (DSA) is tasked with operating India’s space-warfare and Satellite Intelligence assets. The DSA draws personnel from all three branches of the Armed Forces. They plan to enhance outer space military by collaborating with the Defence Research and Development Organization to develop systems for expanding India’s defense and offense capabilities in space. The military created: communications, intelligence, navigation, missile warning, and weather satellite systems in conflict areas since April 19, 1975. India only has two military satellites used for the Indian Navy force and the Air Force.
India firmly believes in militarizing outer space. Using outer space for military use can help India with surveillance, national security, and intelligence services. India has teamed up with the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue to counter China’s anti-satellite. Which includes the United States, Japan, Australia, France etc. In addition to military outer space, India also believes in monitoring the regulations and behaviors of other countries, such as China. The Quad also pushes for doubling down on space security, reducing usable space orbits, and tracking down space environment for threats. Although there is the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, India did not sign it because of the multilateral agreement under the UN radar. Nonetheless, India plans on expanding their knowledge of outer space militarization, based on the space security threats China and New Delhi have shown and are presenting in upcoming years.
