The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the third phase of the Space Based Surveillance (SBS) Mission. It will help in better land and maritime domain awareness for civilian and military applications.It will involve the launch of at least 52 satellites into low Earth orbit and geostationary orbit for surveillance.
Key Points
- Launch of Satellites: The mission will involve the launch of at least 52 satellites into Low Earth Orbit and Geostationary Orbit.
- 21 satellites will be built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- 31 satellites will be built by various private companies.
- Operations: The SBS mission will be operated by the National Security Council Secretariat and the Defence Space Agency under the Ministry of Defence.
- Support to Armed Forces: All the three armed forces (land, sea, and air) will have dedicated satellites for land, sea or air based missions.
Phases of SBS Mission
- Phase I: The first phase of SBS began in the year 2001 with the launch of four satellites namely RISAT 2.
- Phase II: SBS 2 was launched in the year 2013 with the launch of six satellites namely RISAT 2A.
Support and Goals
- International cooperation: The SBS 3 mission will be supported by India’s acquisition of 31 Predator drones from the US, joint construction of military satellites with France, and anti-satellite missile capabilities.
- Strategic goals: India aims to acquire the capability to detect enemy submarines in the Indo-Pacific region and monitor the construction of infrastructure by the enemy along its land and maritime borders.
Cabinet Committee on Security
- The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is an important body of the Government of India, whose main purpose is to discuss and decide on matters related to national security and defense policies.
Key Information
- Chairman: The CCS is headed by the Prime Minister.
Members
- Prime Minister
- Defence Minister
- Home Minister
- Finance Minister
- Foreign Minister
Functions
- The CCS focuses on all issues related to India’s defense and security.
- This committee reviews matters related to law and order and national security of India.
- The CCS discusses various steps needed to enhance national security.
- The committee also deals with foreign affairs policy matters that may have internal or external security implications.
- The CCS considers security-related agreements with other countries.
- It discusses political issues that may affect national security.
Cabinet Committees
- Cabinet committees are not mentioned in the Indian Constitution, but they allow smaller groups of ministers to take decisions on particular policy areas to reduce the burden on the Union Cabinet.
- Formation and Reorganisation: These committees are formed or reconstituted when a new government comes to power or there is a reshuffle in the Cabinet.
Major Cabinet Committees
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
- Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
- Cabinet Committee on Investment and Development
- Cabinet Committee on Security of the Union Cabinet
- Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
- Cabinet Committee on Employment and Skill Development
- Cabinet Committee on Housing
- Appointments Committee of the Cabinet