Housefull Opening: Strategic Convergence Marks DefSat 2026
DEFSAT 2026 is emerging as a defining platform reflecting India’s intent to strengthen its position as a serious defence–space power
New Delhi, February 14, 2026. With an unprecedented turnout on its inaugural day, DEFSAT 2026 is emerging as a defining platform reflecting India’s intent to strengthen its position as a serious defence–space power. Held from 24–26 February 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre, the three-day conference and exposition is bringing together strategic leaders to accelerate dialogue on defence modernisation and India’s expanding space ambitions under the theme “Space at the Core of National Security.” The conference underscores a critical strategic reality: an estimated 70–80% of modern military operations today rely on space-based capabilities, underscoring the rising centrality of space in India’s national security architecture. Day one marked a strong turnout as the conference witnessed 600 registered military leadership, government officials, diplomats, global industry representatives, startups, academia, and strategic experts.
Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, President, SIA-India, remarked: “Scale follows utilisation certainty. When government procurement creates predictable, multi-year demand for satellite communications, mobility bandwidth, disaster-response capacity, and Earth observation analytics, industry gains the confidence to invest in production, automation, and workforce expansion. Predictable demand, replicated suppliers, and deeper industrial discipline, that is how mission excellence becomes industrial scale.”
Lt Gen (Dr) P J S Pannu (Retd.), Chairman, Defence Space Committee, SIA-India, stated: “Future conflicts will be fought beyond physical battlefields — in space, cyber, and the invisible spectrum. As proxy wars and non-contact warfare expand across regions, space assets will become both the greatest enablers of security and the most contested targets. The nations that secure and protect their space capabilities today will define the balance of power tomorrow.”
AVM Manu Midha, Director General, Defence Space Agency (DSA), emphasized: “Space is no longer a distant frontier or a symbol of technological prestige; it is the decisive high ground of modern warfare and national power. The nation that secures its interests in orbit safeguards its sovereignty on Earth. From precision strikes to real-time intelligence, from secure communications to strategic deterrence, every critical function of modern defence now depends on resilient space capability. If we fail to protect and strengthen our space architecture, we risk strategic blindness and operational paralysis. In the 21st century, safeguarding space is not an option, it is a national imperative.”
A senior representative from the Chief of Integrated Staff Committee (CISC) noted: “Assured access to space, protection of orbital assets, and rapid reconstitution capability must form the backbone of India’s defence preparedness. The scale of engagement at DefSat reflects a collective understanding of this strategic imperative.”
Highlighting the cyber dimension, Dr. Vinayak Godse, CEO, Data Security Council of India (DSCI), added: “Orbital assurance has become a core pillar of national security. Our economy, military preparedness, and digital transactions are deeply dependent on space-enabled infrastructure. As digitalisation accelerates, securing the space–cyber continuum is not optional — it is foundational to strategic stability.”
With record engagement across stakeholders, DefSat 2026 clearly demonstrates that space security is now firmly at the core of India’s strategic, technological, and industrial future.
DEFSAT Exposition 2026 will emerge as a major technology showcase over the next three days, reflecting the breadth of capabilities across the Indian and global space ecosystem, with participation from over 30 industry stalwarts including ICEYE, Ananth Technologies, Safran, Viasat, Aiila Innovations, GalaxEye, Pixxel, Times Microwave Systems, SkyServe, Aule Space, Sanyark Space Technologies, Agmatel, HEX20, Cosmoserve, Spacelabs, Onnes Cryogenics, Tantrayut Telecommunications Pvt. Ltd., RDVW Support, Chipspirit, Rigol Technologies, Glenair Inc., Anritsu India Pvt. Ltd., Raamtel Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Apical Telecom, Geminus Space, Rangsons Aerospace Pvt. Ltd., Invas Tech, and XDLINX Space, among others.
Mr Anil Prakash, DG, SIA-India: “This year’s theme, “Space at the Core to National Security,” will provide timely direction and insight, and will meaningfully contribute to strengthening India’s journey as a defence space powerhouse to Aatmanirbharta and Viksit Bharat. With over 90 distinguished speakers leading 12 engaging panel discussions, DefSAT-2026 will undoubtedly enrich our collective understanding and further strengthen collaboration across the defence-space ecosystem.”
The event is supported by several key strategic and institutional partners, including Centre for Land Warfare Studies as a knowledge partner and NITI Aayog, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), CERT-In, National Maritime Foundation, ELCINA, T-Hub, Geospatial World, Aeronautical Society of India, Astronautical Society of India, and Research and Information System for Developing Countries among other supporting partners.
About SIA-India
SIA-India, a dynamic, not-for-profit space sector association, is dedicated to advancing sectoral interests, accelerating industry growth, and catalysing innovation through strategic engagements with key governmental and global stakeholders, policymakers, regulatory bodies, and standardisation entities, aiming to create a vibrant and innovative ecosystem within the space.
