India to Launch Protective ‘Bodyguard’ Satellites for Space Defense

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India is developing “bodyguard satellites” to protect its space assets after a 2024 orbital near-miss with a foreign spacecraft, reported Bloomberg highlighting India’s collaboration with startups to develop defensive satellites.

The first test launches are expected in 2026, led by private startups, with the government planning to scale the system for national security.

What Are “Bodyguard Satellites” ?

• Definition: Specialized satellites designed to escort and shield high-value spacecraft from orbital threats.
• Functions:
  • Real-time monitoring of nearby objects.
  • Defensive maneuvers to block or divert potential threats.
  • Integration with ground-based space surveillance systems.

India’s Motivation

• Near-Miss Incident (2024): A foreign spacecraft came dangerously close to an Indian satellite.
• Geopolitical Context: Rising tensions with Pakistan and concern over China’s expanding space capabilities.
• National Security Priority: Protecting communication, navigation, and surveillance satellites.

Timeline & Development

Phase	Details	Expected Date
Prototype Development	Private startups engineering first defensive satellites	Early 2026
Initial Test Launches	One or two satellites to validate orbital defense tech	First half of 2026
Government Acquisition	Technology absorbed by ISRO/defense agencies	Late 2026–2027
Scaling Up	Larger constellation of bodyguard satellites	Post-2027

Strategic Implications

• Military Edge: Safeguards defense satellites from interference.
• Civilian Benefits: Protects communication and navigation systems.
• Space Diplomacy: Positions India in global space security debates.

Risks & Challenges

• Cost & Complexity: Developing maneuverable satellites is expensive.
• Escalation Risk: May be perceived as militarization of space.
• Technology Reliability: Autonomous defense is untested at scale.

Global Context

• US & China: Already experimenting with inspection/servicing satellites.
• India’s Approach: Unique in openly framing them as “bodyguards.”

In short, India’s bodyguard satellites mark a bold step in space defense, blending startup innovation with national security needs. The first real-world test in 2026 will be crucial in proving whether these orbital guardians can effectively shield India’s strategic assets.

India Expands Missile Manufacturing: Kerala Allocates Land to BrahMos Aerospace

Kerala has officially allotted 180 acres of land  in Thiruvananthapuram for free of cost to  BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia, paving the way for a major advanced missile manufacturing unit. This decision marks a significant boost to India’s defence production capacity and positions Kerala as a strategic hub for aerospace and defence industries.

Key Details of the Allocation

• Location: Kallikkad village, Kattakkada taluk, Thiruvananthapuram district.
• Land Size: 180 acres, transferred from the Nettukaltheri open prison campus.
• Approval: Supreme Court cleared the transfer of 257 acres in December 2025.
• Distribution of Land:
  • 180 acres → BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Limited (BATL).
  • 45 acres → Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) headquarters.
  • 32 acres → National Forensic Science University campus.

Strategic Importance

• Expansion of Defence Manufacturing: The new unit will serve as a second manufacturing facility for BrahMos, complementing its existing operations in Thiruvananthapuram.
• Boost to Indigenous Production: Strengthens India’s self-reliance in missile technology, aligning with the “Make in India” and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
• Employment & Local Economy: Expected to generate thousands of skilled jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and support services.
• Geopolitical Significance: Enhances India’s ability to produce and deploy supersonic cruise missiles, reinforcing deterrence capabilities in the Indian Ocean region.

Comparison of Land Allocation

Recipient	Land Allocated	Purpose
BrahMos Aerospace (BATL)	180 acres	Advanced missile & strategic unit
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)	45 acres	Battalion headquarters
National Forensic Science Univ.	32 acres	Academic & research campus

Challenges & Considerations

• Environmental Concerns: Nettukaltheri area is ecologically sensitive; development must balance defence needs with sustainability.
• Local Community Impact: Land was part of an open prison campus; relocation and rehabilitation issues may arise.
• Strategic Secrecy: High-security protocols will limit public access and transparency around operations.

Broader Context

• BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia, producing the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile.
• The new facility will likely focus on next-generation variants of BrahMos, including hypersonic sy stems under development.
• Kerala’s move signals a shift toward defence industrialization in southern India, complementing hubs in Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

BrahMos Aerospace

BrahMos Aerospace is an Indo-Russian joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, established in 1998, specializing in the design, development, and production of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system. Headquartered in New Delhi, it is one of India’s most prominent defense enterprises, with missiles deployable from land, sea, air, and submarine platforms.

Company Overview

• Founded: 1998 (formal JV agreement signed on 12 February 1998)
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Ownership: Joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya (NPOM)
• CEO & MD (current): Dr. Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi
• Industry: Aerospace & Defense
• Core Product: BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system

BrahMos Missile System

• Speed: Supersonic (Mach 2.8–3.0)
• Range: Initially ~290 km, extended versions now exceed 400–500 km with ongoing upgrades.
• Platforms:
  • Land-based mobile launchers
  • Naval ships
  • Submarines
  • Aircraft (Su-30MKI integration completed)
• Targets: Designed for precision strikes against land and sea targets.

MAHE Establishes Quantum-Hub@MAHE to Advance India’s Indigenous Quantum Hardware Ecosystem

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Quantrolox to establish the Quatum-Hub@MAHE in Manipal Institute of Technology, Bengaluru in presence of other partners in Bengaluru on March 5, 2026. From Left to Right - Dr. S D Sudarsan – Executive Director, CDAC, Mr. Vishal Chatrath – CEO, Co-founder, QuantrolOx, Finland, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh – Vice Chancellor, MAHE, Prof. (Dr.) Madhu Veeraraghavan – Pro Vice-Chancellor, MAHE Bengaluru,  Dr. Iven Jose – Director, MIT Bengaluru

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University, today formally instituted Quantum-Hub@MAHE (Q-HUB@MAHE) at Manipal Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, a university-led indigenous quantum hardware and open-architecture ecosystem aligned with the objectives of India’s National Quantum Mission.

Conceived as an integrated design-to-deployment platform, Q-HUB@MAHE brings together quantum hardware experimentation, Deep-Tech startup incubation, component innovation, workforce development, testing infrastructure, and translational research within a unified academic framework. The initiative is structured to strengthen India’s sovereign capability across the quantum value chain.

As part of this multi-campus deep-tech strategy, Manipal Institute of Technology, Bengaluru (MIT-BLR) will serve as the operational anchor for advanced hardware experimentation, cryogenic and RF infrastructure, and structured quantum engineering education and training.

The facility will commence operations with a 25-qubit dilution refrigeration (DR) open-architecture system designed for advanced training and experimentation. This marks the first phase of a structured roadmap progressing from sub-50 qubit training systems to 50–150 qubit proof-of-concept platforms and ultimately toward 150–1,000+ qubit industrial-grade quantum product systems.

Unlike access-based or vendor-locked deployments, Q-HUB@MAHE has been designed as an open-architecture ecosystem supporting indigenous component development, calibration systems, hardware integration, and scalable manufacturing pathways. The long-term vision includes indigenous Quantum Processing Unit (QPU) development, system miniaturisation, and industry-ready quantum hardware platforms.

The initiative was formalised through Memorandums of Agreement (MoA) with QuantrolOx (Finland) in association with Bluefors (Finland), QBLOX (Netherlands), ConScience (Sweden), Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.

These collaborations establish a structured Year-1 roadmap focused on workforce development, hardware experimentation, IP co-development, and national testing infrastructure aligned with the strategic pillars of the National Quantum Mission.

Q-HUB@MAHE has set a target of training 100 quantum engineers by December 2026 through a structured certification programme combining online modules, assessments, and hands-on laboratory immersion. The centre will also function as a national testing and measurement gateway, enabling researchers, startups, and industry partners to access advanced infrastructure. The physical facility is scheduled for inauguration in September 2026.

Leadership Perspectives

Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, MAHE said:, “Q-Hub@MAHE reflects our commitment to building sovereign scientific capability aligned with the vision of the National Quantum Mission. By integrating research, hardware development, and workforce training within one ecosystem, we aim to contribute meaningfully to India’s leadership in advanced quantum technologies.”

Prof. (Dr.) Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor, MAHE Bengaluru added, "With MIT Bengaluru serving as the operational centre, Q-HUB@MAHE will catalyse interdisciplinary collaboration, deep-tech entrepreneurship, and translational research. Our focus is to move from academic exploration to manufacturable quantum systems with real-world impact.”

Prof. Iven Jose, Director, MIT Bengaluru explained, “Access to real quantum hardware, cryogenic systems, and RF infrastructure ensures that our students and researchers are not merely technology users but system builders. This is essential for developing India’s next generation of quantum engineers through the Manipal House of Quantum.”

Partner Perspectives

Mr. Vishal, QuantrolOx —“We are pleased to collaborate with Q-Hub@MAHE in advancing calibration and automation capabilities within an open-architecture framework.”

Dr. Sudarshan, C-DAC — “The objectives of Q-Hub@MAHE align closely with the National Quantum Mission’s priorities of supporting supply chain, creating deep-tech entrepreneurs and workforce creation.”

Dr. David Gunnarson, CTO, Bluefors, Finland, — "We are pleased to support Q-Hub@MAHE in establishing advanced cryogenic infrastructure for quantum hardware experimentation and scalable quantum systems." 

Dr. Niels Bultink, QBLOX, "This partnership supports scalable quantum control systems development in an academic-manufacturing ecosystem.”

Dr. Marcus Rommel, Conscience — “Q-Hub @ MAHE strengthens advanced quantum infrastructure with testing and characterization of different Quantum Processing Units (QPU) within India’s growing ecosystem.”

IBM Launches Its First Infrastructure Innovation Center in India to Accelerate Enterprise-Scale AI

Left - Subhathra Srinivasaraghavan, VP ISDL; Right - Sandip Patel, MD

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced the launch of its first Infrastructure Innovation Center, the Sangam Infrastructure Innovation Center, housed within its new India Systems Development Lab (ISDL) campus. The center underscores IBM’s continued investment in India as a strategic hub for advanced infrastructure engineering and AI innovation serving both domestic and global markets.

Designed as a collaborative engineering hub, the center will bring together IBM’s systems architects and infrastructure specialists from ISDL to co-create AI solutions with clients, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Global System Integrators (GSIs), Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and ecosystem partners. By bringing together cutting-edge infrastructure technologies, hybrid cloud capabilities and AI solutions under one roof, the center is designed to accelerate the development and deployment of secure, scalable and responsible enterprise AI systems. The initiative supports enterprise transformation in India while contributing to global infrastructure innovation.

"India is at a pivotal moment in its AI journey, and infrastructure will define the pace and scale at which organizations can innovate,” said Sandip Patel, Managing Director, IBM India & South Asia. “Across industries, enterprises in India are modernizing mission-critical systems to become AI-ready. This Center reflects IBM’s long-term commitment to India and strengthens our ability to design, build, and scale infrastructure solutions locally; tailored to India’s unique market needs while contributing to global innovation. As India advances toward becoming a global AI leader, resilient, secure, and high-performance infrastructure will be the bedrock of that transformation.”

Subhathra Srinivasaraghavan, Vice President, IBM India Systems Development Lab, added, “AI is only as powerful as the infrastructure that supports it. From hybrid cloud platforms to data architectures and automation, the backbone of AI lies in robust, secure and scalable infrastructure. This center brings together deep systems engineering expertise and ecosystem collaboration to help clients operationalize AI at scale while ensuring performance, security, governance, and reliability across mission-critical environments.”

The launch builds on strong infrastructure investment trends highlighted in a recent study by the IBM Institute for Business Value, which found that 58% of Indian organizations have increased infrastructure investments due to rising AI demand. The study also projected a 19% growth in infrastructure budgets in 2025, with 43% of organizations establishing or planning AI Centers of Excellence. As enterprises move from experimentation to scaled deployment, infrastructure readiness is emerging as a strategic priority.

With the establishment of this center, IBM further strengthens India’s position as a critical engine for AI infrastructure innovation supporting enterprises in building secure, scalable and future-ready AI systems.

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Media Contact:

Prasanna SR (prasanna.s.r@ibm.com)

Aakanksha Ahlawat (Aakanksha.Ahlawat@ibm.com)

The ePlane Company Integrates German Avionics Giant, HENSOLDT to Power the Digital Brain of India’s 1st Electric Air Taxi

Highlights:

• Strategic Alliance: The ePlane Company has entered into an agreement with Germany’s HENSOLDT Avionics to supply and integrate avionics systems for its flagship e200X eVTOL aircraft. The integration will form the core navigation and mission management architecture of the platform.
• Safety & Situational Awareness: The collaboration centres on equipping the e200X with navigation, landing assistance and secure data connectivity systems to support safe and structured operations in urban environments.
• Prototyping to Production: This move signifies ePlane's transition from prototyping to building certifiable commercial aircraft, with aviation-grade, secure systems.
• Engineering Synergy: A technical alliance combining ePlane’s engineering expertise with HENSOLDT’s technology for the unique aerodynamic and operational profile of a compact eVTOL.

In a significant leap towards redefining urban mobility, Ubifly Technologies (The ePlane Company), India’s leading developer of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has announced a strategic partnership with HENSOLDT Avionics, a global leader from Germany in sensor solutions and mission management electronics.

This integration forms part of the e200X transition from subscale to full-scale prototype development. By integrating HENSOLDT’s advanced avionics suite, ePlane is equipping its flagship aircraft with a "digital nervous system" designed for uncompromising safety, situational awareness, and operational efficiency in dense urban environments.

Avionics Scope for e200X

• EuroNav 7 Next Gen (Digital Moving Map): EuroNav 7 NG ensures the e200x navigates complex cityscapes with precision, providing advanced moving maps and mission management that deliver total situational awareness within the urban canyon.
• CaviSight (Visual Landing Aid): Landing on a rooftop helipad in India requires more than skill; it requires enhanced vision. CaviSight offers video and enhanced vision capabilities that manage camera feeds, provides enhanced intelligence, giving pilots a clear, augmented view and assistance during the most critical phases of flight; takeoff and landing.
• RF1 Smart Antenna (Collision Avoidance): Safety is non-negotiable. The integration of the RF1 Smart Antenna enables cooperative traffic awareness, actively warning the pilot of other aircraft in the vicinity; a crucial feature for the busy skies of tomorrow.
• CaviConnect (Secure Connectivity): Beyond its physical flight capabilities, the e200x operates as a fully integrated, data-driven node within the urban airspace. The integration of CaviConnect ensures a secure, robust datalink between the aircraft and ground stations, enabling the real-time data exchange critical for fleet management and continuous health monitoring.

A Convergence of German Precision and Indian Innovation

This collaboration constitutes a deeply integrated technical alliance. ePlane’s engineers are working in tandem with HENSOLDT to seamlessly integrate these systems, ensuring they seamlessly match the unique flight profile and operational demands of the e200x. The integration of the EB1 Multipurpose Airborne Computer adds a layer of onboard processing power that allows the aircraft to run mission-critical applications smoothly, future-proofing the platform for autonomous capabilities.

This integration supports the e200X certification program under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), following the internal design freeze of the aircraft’s avionics architecture.

"Building a certifiable eVTOL requires the flawless integration of highly advanced subsystems into a single, harmonious platform. By partnering with HENSOLDT, we aren't just buying components; we are integrating a legacy of aviation safety into the DNA of the e200x. This avionics suite provides the comprehensive situational awareness required to operate safely in dense urban environments”, said Prof. Satya Chakravarthy, Founder & Technical Lead, The ePlane Company

“We are proud to support ePlane in their mission to alleviate urban congestion. Our avionics are designed for the most demanding missions, and the operational profile of an eVTOL in India is the ultimate proving ground. Together, we are defining the standards for situational awareness in the Advanced Air Mobility sector”, said Michael Groeninger, Managing Director, HENSOLDT Avionics GmbH

About The ePlane Company:

Incubated at IIT Madras, The ePlane Company is India’s leading deep-tech aerospace company building the e200X, the nation’s first compact electric air taxi. The company holds the distinction of being the first private Indian entity to receive Design Organisation Approval (DOA) and Type Certification (TC) application acceptance from the DGCA, and is actively defining the country's physical testing and safety benchmarks through its Ground Test Vehicle (GTV) validation phase. Operating out of a state-of-the-art 60,000 sq. ft. engineering and prototyping facility at the IIT Madras Discovery Campus, ePlane combines indigenous manufacturing with a robust global partnership ecosystem—including collaborations with NVIDIA, AWS, Dassault, CADFEM-Ansys and Hensoldt to power its advanced simulation, cloud infrastructure, avionics, and edge computing capabilities. With a strategic initial deployment focused on life-saving utility, the company is launching air ambulances as its first commercial application to cut critical medical transport times across India by up to 7x.

About HENSOLDT Avionics:

HENSOLDT Avionics represents the avionics business of the HENSOLDT Group, a leading company in the European defence industry with a global reach. The company develops situational awareness solutions for civil and military rotorcraft, fixed-wing aircraft, and UAVs, focusing on flight management, mission computers, and connectivity.