6 satellites in 16 months: Pakistan has quietly built a surveillance network

Pakistan has dramatically accelerated its space program in recent years, launching six Earth-observation satellites within a span of 16 months. This rapid expansion, largely facilitated by Chinese technological and logistical support, has raised concerns among Indian defense analysts about the potential militarization of Pakistan’s space capabilities. According to reports from local media outlets, these satellites—designed for high-resolution imaging, hyperspectral sensing, and persistent surveillance—are being used to monitor Indian territory, particularly along the disputed border regions and strategic locations such as Jammu and Kashmir. The development marks a significant shift from Pakistan’s historically slow-paced space program, which had launched only a few satellites over several decades prior to this surge.

The six satellites were launched using both American and Chinese rockets, with most of them carried by Chinese launch vehicles. The first satellite, PAUSAT-1, was launched on January 14, 2025, by SpaceX’s Falcon 9. Subsequent launches included PRSC-EO1 on January 17, 2025, via China’s Long March-2D rocket; PRSS-2 EO on July 31, 2025, also using a Chinese rocket; HS-1, a hyperspectral satellite, on October 19, 2025, via another Long March rocket; PRSC-EO2 on February 12, 2026, using China’s Smart Dragon-3; and finally, PRSC-EO3 on April 25, 2026, with a Long March-6 rocket. Each of these satellites appears to have distinct capabilities, ranging from optical imaging to synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and hyperspectral analysis, suggesting a coordinated effort to build a comprehensive surveillance network.

Defense analysts warn that this constellation of satellites could enable Pakistan to maintain continuous visual contact with Indian military installations, infrastructure projects, and troop movements. Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, a retired naval officer and defense commentator, noted that the combination of optical and SAR satellites ensures that Pakistan can monitor the region both during the day and night, providing near-persistent surveillance. He emphasized that this capability is not merely incidental but part of a deliberate strategy to gain strategic advantage over India. The ability to observe changes on the ground, detect camouflaged objects, and track movement patterns could offer Pakistan valuable intelligence on India’s military posture and strategic planning.

This development has come at a time when India’s space program has experienced technical challenges. According to defense experts, India’s space agency, ISRO, has struggled with the reliability of its rocketry systems, leading to delays in launching critical surveillance satellites. A senior defense analyst, Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat (retired), pointed out that India has not managed to launch a single surveillance satellite in the past year, highlighting a gap in India’s space-based reconnaissance capabilities. Additionally, India’s indigenous navigation system, NavIC, has been compromised due to insufficient satellite coverage, forcing reliance on foreign systems like GPS and GLONASS for critical operations.

The implications of Pakistan’s space advancements extend beyond mere surveillance. With China playing a central role in supporting Pakistan’s satellite launches and possibly sharing advanced technologies, there are fears that this collaboration could lead to a broader strategic alignment between the two countries. Analysts suggest that the partnership may involve not only launch services but also deeper cooperation in satellite design, data processing, and even intelligence sharing. This raises questions about how India can counteract such developments without compromising its own space ambitions.

Looking ahead, India faces a dual challenge: addressing its domestic space program shortcomings while countering the growing surveillance capabilities of its neighbor. Defense officials are calling for urgent measures, including accelerating the deployment of India’s planned satellite constellation under the Space-Based Surveillance Phase-III (SBS-3) program. While the project aims to deploy 52 satellites by the mid-2020s, analysts note that the current timeline leaves India vulnerable to continued surveillance by Pakistan and China. In the meantime, some experts suggest that India might consider leveraging international partnerships, such as collaborating with European or Russian space agencies, to ensure timely access to critical space-based intelligence. As tensions continue to simmer in the region, the race for space superiority is becoming an increasingly critical component of the strategic equation between India and Pakistan.