Senior ISRO officials confirmed that all of India’s strategic space assets were mobilized for Operation Sindoor, with teams working around the clock to support the armed forces. At least 10 satellites were dedicated to national security, monitoring borders, coastlines, and conflict zones to ensure continuous situational awareness. ISRO’s commitment was clear: “Our teams have been working round the clock and we are proud that ISRO could help our forces in missions important for the country,” a senior official stated.
Cartosat satellites provided high-resolution optical imagery, essential for reconnaissance, target selection, and operational planning. Cartosat-2C, for example, delivers images with a resolution of 0.65 meters, enabling commanders to pinpoint targets and monitor enemy movements with remarkable clarity. These satellites have dual-use capabilities (imaging and video), making them a cornerstone of military intelligence.
RISAT (Radar Imaging Satellite) family, including the soon-to-launch RISAT-1B, supplied radar images that penetrate clouds and darkness, providing real-time tracking of enemy assets and movement. RISAT’s Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology ensures surveillance is unhindered by weather or light conditions, a critical advantage in modern warfare.
GSAT series satellites supported secure, reliable satellite communications for seamless coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), India’s indigenous GPS, was deployed for precise positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) during the operation.
While India’s own satellites formed the backbone of Operation Sindoor’s space intelligence, ISRO also facilitated access to commercial satellite data from global providers like Maxar (US) and Sentinel (Europe). This combination allowed for near real-time imagery and daily updates-crucial for fast-evolving military scenarios.
Satellite imagery helped identify and confirm terror camps and enemy air bases in Pakistan and PoK, ensuring strikes were accurate and minimized collateral damage. Continuous monitoring of borders and conflict zones enabled the armed forces to anticipate enemy movements and respond swiftly to threats. GSAT satellites ensured uninterrupted, encrypted communication across India’s military branches. NavIC and global GPS systems provided the positional accuracy needed for precision strikes and troop movements.
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan emphasized that satellite and drone technology are now indispensable for India’s security, especially given the country’s vast borders and evolving threats. The agency’s ability to provide 24/7 surveillance, rapid data downloads, and integration with global assets has made space technology a cornerstone of India’s defence doctrine.