• The evolution of warfare has always been tied to technological innovation, but the current integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with space technologies represents a fundamental shift in the character of modern global conflict. This powerful convergence is not merely about incremental improvements in existing military hardware; it is about reshaping the entire global security architecture, introducing unprecedented speed, autonomy, and complexity to the battlefield.
• Outer space, once a domain solely for exploration, has rapidly become a critical operational theater and a foundational pillar of national security for major powers, as nearly all modern military operations on land, air, and sea depend heavily on satellite-based systems for communication, surveillance, navigation, and targeting. AI acts as a crucial force multiplier, enabling the processing of vast data streams from these space assets in near-real-time to provide superior situational awareness and accelerate the decision-making cycle -an advantage often referred to as "intelligentised warfare". This synergy, however, also introduces profound strategic, ethical, and legal dilemmas, including the proliferation of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS) and the heightened risk of an AI arms race that could lead to rapid, unintended escalation of conflicts. The following discussion explores how this transformative force is redefining security, governance, and global power competition in the 21st century.

AI, Space Militarisation, and Modern Warfare:

• AI, space militarisation, and modern warfare are reshaping global security by merging autonomous systems with satellite-based surveillance, communication, and targeting.

Growing Importance of Outer Space in National Security

• Space is now central to data flows, communication, scientific research, disaster warnings, financial transactions, and governance systems.
• Space-based systems support key civilian sectors—health, agriculture, climate monitoring, energy, transportation, and navigation.
• Most importantly, outer space has become a foundational pillar of national security, making satellite systems indispensable for modern armed forces.
• In 2019, NATO recognised space as an operational domain, joining land, air, maritime, and cyberspace.
• Multiple nations have since created dedicated space forces or space commands to protect their assets and military networks.

Transformation of Warfare Through Space-Based Systems

• Space technologies now assist land, air, and naval operations by enhancing command-and-control, surveillance, and precision warfare.

Satellites provide:

1. intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)
2. secure communication
3. missile early-warning
4. navigation and precision targeting
5. maritime domain awareness

• However, space assets face increasing vulnerability to kinetic and non-kinetic attacks:

1. anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles
2. jamming of communication signals
3. GPS spoofing
4. cyber intrusions on ground stations
5. laser dazzling or blinding of satellites

• India’s 2019 ASAT test demonstrated capability but also highlighted the need for greater space situational awareness.

AI as a Strategic Force Multiplier in Space

• AI elevates the military value of satellites by enabling:
• autonomous navigation
• real-time data processing
• predictive analytics for operational planning
• automated threat detection
• intelligent sensor networks
• AI is increasingly used in space surveillance and tracking , image interpretation , autonomous drones and loitering munitions , electronic warfare.
• The synergy of AI and space systems also enhances civilian applications such as disaster management, climate forecasting, and mineral exploration.
• However, the same capabilities enable offensive functions, raising concerns about surveillance, weapons autonomy, and possible arms races.

India’s Rising Investments in Defence and Space Technology

• India’s defence spending increased from ₹2.53 trillion (2014) to ₹6.81 trillion (FY 2025-26), reflecting growing security needs.
• Space-based systems have gained priority due to rising Chinese capabilities and Indo-Pacific security concerns.
• In 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved Phase-3 of the Space-Based Surveillance Programme for launching 52 surveillance satellites.
• 31 satellites will be produced by private companies.
• 21 will be built and launched by ISRO.
• India is adopting a mixed public–private model to strengthen its space ecosystem, similar to the US and European models.
• India’s 2019 Project NETRA enhances space situational awareness and tracks threats to satellites.

AI-Enabled Space Security: Opportunities and Ethical Risks

AI improves efficiency but raises issues of:

• algorithmic bias
• autonomy in weapons
• accountability for machine errors
• risks of accidental escalation

AI-powered satellite surveillance could create:

• privacy concerns
• destabilising intelligence advantages
• dual-use systems that blur lines between offence and defence

Without clear ethical frameworks, AI-based military systems could amplify cyber threats, misinformation attacks, and automated battlefield decisions.

Gaps in International Space Law and the Limits of the Outer Space Treaty

• The 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST) is the foundational global document governing space.

Article IV prohibits:

1. nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in space
2. stationing of WMDs in orbit
3. military bases on celestial bodies

However, the OST faces serious limitations:

• It does not explicitly prohibit ASAT tests.
• It does not address non-WMD modern weapons (AI systems, cyber tools, lasers, drones).
• Its terms are broadly interpreted and allow loopholes.

Countries have exploited these ambiguities to pursue space militarisation without formally violating the treaty.

The OST predates the digital age and lacks provisions for:

1. private sector involvement
2. autonomous systems
3. dual-use technologies
4. space traffic management

Need for a Comprehensive National Space Law in India

• India remains one of the few major spacefaring nations without a full-fledged national space legislation.
• Existing governance is handled through ISRO policies, IN-SPACe guidelines & sector-specific regulations.

A national space law should:

• create clear rules for private companies
• regulate dual-use technologies
• establish export-control mechanisms
• ensure accountability for space accidents
• define liability in case of damage in orbit
• strengthen India’s international commitments
• incorporate AI-specific norms (transparency, oversight, audit)
• A strong legal framework would enhance investor confidence, support defence preparedness, and strengthen India’s global credibility.

Policy Measures for Strengthening India’s Space and Defence Preparedness

• Draft a comprehensive national space law covering commercial, civil, and defence activities.
• Strengthen AI governance through ethical principles, safety audits, and human oversight requirements.
• Enhance space situational awareness with more Space Situational Awareness (SSA) ground stations and AI-enabled sensors.
• Boost cybersecurity for satellites and control systems to prevent hacking or spoofing.
• Promote public–private partnerships to accelerate indigenous development of launch vehicles, micro-satellites, and AI systems.

Engage in global norm-building through forums like:

• UN COPUOS (Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space)
• QUAD
• G20
• BRICS

Establish a Unified Space Command integrating the armed forces for coordinated space defence.

Invest in secure communication networks, quantum encryption, and advanced surveillance platforms.

Conclusion

• AI and space technologies are redefining warfare, governance, and global power structures.This rapid technological advancement is a double-edged sword that introduces significant strategic instability. The reliance on complex, interconnected systems creates new vulnerabilities, while the proliferation of AI-driven autonomous weapon systems raises profound ethical, legal, and accountability challenges that international humanitarian law is still struggling to address. India must anticipate emerging risks, including dual-use dilemmas, surrogate militarisation, and AI-driven escalation.
• The next phase of global geopolitics will be shaped not only by territorial borders but by the ability of nations to responsibly govern and secure space and AI ecosystems.
• It demands urgent international dialogue and the establishment of robust, shared governance frameworks and norms of behavior to mitigate the risks of miscalculation and unintended escalation, ensuring that this powerful technological leap is managed responsibly to maintain global security and stability.