Pakistan Added Six Satellites In 16 Months To Keep Constant Watch Over India: Report

Published 8 June 2026 · india

Pakistan Added Six Satellites In 16 Months To Keep Constant Watch Over India: Report Published By, Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 13:38 IST According to

Pakistan Added Six Satellites In 16 Months To Keep Constant Watch Over India: Report Published By, Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 13:38 IST According to the report, the satellites are equipped with high-resolution optical imaging, hyperspectral sensors and artificial intelligence-assisted image processing. Rapid Read The satellites analysed in the report include PAUSAT-1, PRSC-EO1, PRSS-2, HS-1, PRSC-EO2 and PRSC-EO3. Pakistan has significantly expanded its Earth-observation satellite network over the past 16 months, launching six satellites between January 2025 and June 2026, according to a report by ThePrint. As per the report, most of the newly launched satellites are positioned in orbits that allow frequent imaging of Indian territory, particularly northern India and the Jammu and Kashmir region, raising questions about their potential strategic and security implications. The rapid pace of such launches comes more than a year after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire following Operation Sindoor.

While the security situation on the ground has remained relatively stable, Pakistan appears to have quietly strengthened its space-based surveillance capabilities with support from China in satellite development and launch services. The satellites analysed in the report include PAUSAT-1, PRSC-EO1, PRSS-2, HS-1, PRSC-EO2 and PRSC-EO3. While Pakistan has described these missions as civilian projects aimed at agriculture, disaster management and resource monitoring, experts emphasise that modern Earth-observation satellites often have dual-use capabilities that can also support military surveillance. According to the report, the satellites are equipped with technologies such as high-resolution optical imaging, hyperspectral sensors and artificial intelligence-assisted image processing. These systems can be used to monitor infrastructure changes, military installations, troop movements and maritime activity. As per the report, unlike conventional Earth-observation satellites that operate in Sun-synchronous orbits, PRSC-EO3, launched in April 2026, was reportedly placed in an orbit designed to increase revisit rates over South Asia, especially northern India and Kashmir.

The rapid pace of launches marks a major shift for Pakistan’s space programme. Since the establishment of its space agency SUPARCO in 1961, Pakistan has launched 15 satellites, with six of those missions taking place in the last 16 months alone. The report highlights extensive cooperation between Pakistan and China, noting that most of the recent satellites were either launched aboard Chinese rockets or developed through joint programmes. Security analysts say the accelerated pace of deployment would have been difficult without substantial external support. The developments come as India has faced setbacks in several strategic satellite missions over the past two years, including failures involving the EOS-N1, EOS-09 and NavIC NVS-02 satellites. Space-based surveillance has become a critical component of modern warfare and national security. Experts say that India need to strengthen its own satellite capabilities to maintain strategic awareness in an increasingly competitive regional space environment.