Pakistan Launches Six Earth Observation Satellites in 16 Months, Raising Indian Security Concerns
Pakistan launched six earth observation satellites between January 2025 and April 2026, primarily using Chinese rockets, marking a significant acceleration in its space surveillance capabilities. Indian defence analysts warn these satellites could be used for monitoring India's borders, troop movements, and military assets, while highlighting gaps in India's own surveillance satellite program. The development underscores growing space-based military competition in South Asia amid delays in India's satellite deployment plans.
Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has launched six earth observation satellites over approximately 16 months—PAUSAT-1, PRSC-EO1, PRSS-2 EO, HS-1, PRSC-EO2, and PRSC-EO3—representing a dramatic acceleration from its historical pace of satellite launches. The satellites were launched primarily via Chinese rockets (Long March and Smart Dragon variants), with one using SpaceX's Falcon 9. Indian defence analysts, including retired Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat and Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, contend these satellites enhance Pakistan's surveillance capabilities over Indian territory and note that some operate in complementary modes—optical satellites during daylight and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites at night—enabling near-continuous monitoring. The analysts also highlight India's current vulnerabilities: no surveillance satellite launches in the past year despite ready payloads, only three of four required NavIC navigation satellites operational, and delays in the Space-Based Surveillance Phase-III program, which aims to deploy 52 surveillance satellites by 2029 but is not expected to begin launches until 2026.
What's missing
The article relies on Indian defence analysts' assessments without including official Pakistani government statements or technical details about the satellites' actual capabilities, resolution, or intended civilian versus military applications. No independent verification of the satellites' specifications or operational status is provided. Additionally, the article does not contextualize Pakistan's satellite program within broader international space norms or discuss whether these launches violate any treaties or agreements.
What different sources said
- Times of IndiaCenter
Pak launched 6 satellites in a year; may be used to spy on India, warns expert
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