Space-based systems provide a complete and timely picture of military activities that can help decision-makers to respond more quickly and effectively to potential security risks. The Plenary session ‘Advancing Space Infrastructure for Defence and Security’ at Indo-Pacific GeoIntelligence Conference 2023 was focussed on space-based communication networks to connect military personnel and equipment across the globe, facilitating coordination and response times.
The Chairperson of the panel John Kedar, Advisor, Geospatial Infrastructure, Geospatial World and Former Commander, Joint Aeronautical and Geospatial Organization started the session by introducing the other panel members.
Gary Dunow, Senior Director, Maxar started his talk by giving the example of the Russia-Ukraine war, and how satellite images are used in military operations. UAV systems also played a big role in the Russia-Ukraine war. The space infrastructure starts and ends with the grounds, this includes people on the ground, therefore proper investment between ground and space infrastructure is required. He also shed light on the importance of implementation of national policies in the geospatial era, with space, AI and other emerging technologies.
Lt Gen PJS Pannu PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Head of Aerospace Division, SATCOM, stated that the term Indo-Pacific is not a very old idea. In the Indo-Pacific region, nations are coming together and collaborating on their ideas, sharing their national interest not only for space but also for military purposes. He also threw light on the problem of integration and collaboration among nations. Hybrid geo-intelligence is the only way that brings all nations together, he added.
Brig G Manoj, Defence Space Agency, India discussed the use of satellites in our daily life, like in delivery services. Satellite images are used for commercial as well as military purposes.
He said, “As our dependencies grow so does our vulnerability. Building a resilient space infrastructure is paramount. We need to invest to develop new technologies for the defence sector, integrate space technologies into military operations and start collaborating with partners to develop military space strategy. Owning space technology is also essential as owning the technologies on earth for our national security.”
John Whitehead, Senior Director of Sales and Distribution – APAC, Trimble shared the vision of Trimble and its applications in the defence sector and workflows of Trimble Business Centre. He said that private organizations definitely want to work with government sectors.
Giuseppe Nobile, Head, Geospatial Section, Sitcen NATO HQ discussed about the growing security threats that came into light during the Ukraine-Russia war as nuclear attacks, and cyber threats, and how those threats are captured by our new concepts and technologies. These common challenges required a stringent approach. To address these sharing threats, collaborations and partnerships among Indo-Pacific nations are the need of the hour.
