Pakistan launches 6 India-watching satellites: Isro has a NavIC recovery plan

Pakistan has expanded its Earth-observation network with six satellites in 16 months as Isro advances a plan to restore NavIC. The parallel moves highlight a sharper regional focus on surveillance, navigation and strategic space capability.

In Short

• Pakistan launched six Earth-observation satellites in 16 months with Chinese backing
• The expanded constellation improves imagery frequency, reconnaissance reach
• NavIC has faced strain from ageing spacecraft and atomic clock issues

Pakistan's rapidly expanding satellite surveillance network is drawing attention in New Delhi, even as the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) moves ahead with an ambitious recovery plan for India's indigenous navigation system, NavIC.

Over the past 16 months, Pakistan has launched six Earth-observation satellites, significantly enhancing its ability to monitor activity across the region. Most of these missions have been carried out with extensive Chinese support, marking a major leap for Islamabad's space programme.

The growing constellation is expected to provide Pakistan with more frequent imagery, improved reconnaissance capabilities, and greater strategic awareness along its borders.

The satellite buildup has prompted discussions within India's strategic and security circles. While India continues to maintain a substantial lead in launch capabilities, deep-space exploration, communications satellites, and remote sensing technologies, Pakistan's recent focus on surveillance satellites has narrowed a critical gap in space-based intelligence gathering.

At the same time, India is grappling with challenges involving its regional navigation satellite system, NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation). Developed as India's answer to GPS, NavIC is designed to provide accurate positioning, navigation and timing services across India and surrounding regions.

However, a series of technical issues involving satellite atomic clocks and ageing spacecraft has affected the constellation's long-term strength.

ISRO'S NAVIC RECOVERY PLAN

Isro has a multi-layered recovery strategy aimed at restoring NavIC's full operational capability and ensuring the system remains reliable for both civilian and strategic users.

A key component of this plan is the deployment of the second-generation NVS satellite series. The upcoming satellites — NVS-03, NVS-04 and NVS-05 — are intended to replace ageing spacecraft and strengthen the overall constellation.

These satellites will also introduce support for the L1 frequency band, making NavIC more compatible with a wider range of commercial devices and global navigation systems.

Perhaps the most significant technological upgrade comes in the form of indigenous atomic clocks. Earlier NavIC satellites faced difficulties linked to imported atomic clock systems, leading to concerns about long-term reliability.

In response, Isro has successfully developed its own rubidium atomic clocks, a critical technology that only a handful of nations possess.

The first of these homegrown clocks has already flown aboard NVS-01, marking an important milestone in India's efforts to reduce dependence on foreign components. Future NVS satellites will continue using these indigenous systems, improving resilience and reliability.

ISRO LAUNCH COMPLEXITIES

While the recovery plan has been under development for some time, Isro is currently grappling with a major launch bottleneck as it continues to investigate the back-to-back failures of two PSLV missions.

The space agency has yet to publicly disclose the exact causes of the anomalies or detail the corrective measures introduced to return the workhorse rocket to flight.

Until the PSLV is cleared for operations, Isro faces a difficult task of prioritising missions in an increasingly crowded launch manifest. Several high-profile projects, including critical NavIC replacement satellites, are awaiting approval to proceed.

Space analysts say the developments reflect two different trajectories in South Asia's evolving space race. Pakistan is rapidly expanding its surveillance footprint with Chinese assistance, while India is focused on strengthening critical infrastructure that underpins navigation, defence operations, transportation and national security.

As competition in space increasingly becomes a strategic necessity rather than a technological showcase, Isro's NavIC recovery plan could prove as important for India's future capabilities as Pakistan's new surveillance satellites are for its growing space ambitions.

- Ends