The upper house of Parliament echoed with strategic urgency as Odisha BJP MP Sujit Kumar advocated for a standalone Space Force during Monday’s session. Framing space as integral to India’s defense, economic stability, and military prowess, he painted a vivid picture of vulnerabilities.
‘Our calls, internet, GPS, banking, surveillance—all hinge on orbiting satellites,’ Kumar stated. A single disruption by adversaries could cascade into chaos on the ground. He contrasted India’s progress—2019’s Defence Space Agency formation and anti-satellite triumph—with the need for more.
Drawing parallels, Kumar pointed to America’s 2019 Space Force and China’s advanced space-military integration. India’s current setup is promising but temporary, without independent resources or permanence. ‘Either we brace for economic paralysis or build preemptive strength,’ he declared.
Proposing a high-powered panel to deliberate on a full-fledged Space Force and specialized academy, the MP stressed the influx of new military satellites demanding round-the-clock protection. Traditional army structures, he argued, are ill-equipped for this domain.
As nations weaponize the cosmos, Kumar’s intervention underscores India’s imperative to evolve. The debate spotlights how space superiority could safeguard terrestrial interests, urging swift governmental action to match global pacesetters.