On April 25, 2026, Pakistan launched its indigenous PRSC-EO3 satellite from China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre aboard a Long March-6 rocket. An electro-optical (EO) satellite is a type of Earth observation system that captures high-resolution images using sensors that can detect visible, near-infrared, and ultraviolet light.
This satellite was purportedly designed for enhanced Earth observation, including environmental monitoring and disaster management. Clearly, it was designed to be a major Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) asset. Pakistan’s Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) comes under the Ministry of Defence. Mohammad Yousuf Khan, chairman of SUPARCO, said on 28 February that the country expected to launch four more earth observation satellites by the end of the year.
Nearly 85 per cent of Pakistani Armed Forces are made up of Chinese hardware. China’s deeper support in space further strengthened the nexus and collusiveness between the two. Time to look at the Pakistani space program and the implications for India.
SUPARCO
SUPARCO, the Pakistani space agency, was formed in 1961 at Karachi as a committee by Pakistani physicist and Nobel laureate Abdus Salam eight years before the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which was officially founded on August 15, 1969.
On 7 July 1962, the Commission launched the first rocket, known as “Rehbar-I“, which reached an altitude of 128 kilometres (420,000 ft) in space. The United States publicly supported and hailed the program as the beginning of “a program of continuous cooperation in space research of mutual interest.” Until 1972, the United States provided training on rocket engines at the Goddard Space Flight Center. The US funding and support diminished after 1972.
Following India’s launch of its first satellite, Aryabhata on a Soviet Kosmos-3M rocket in 1975, SUPARCO began lobbying for Pakistan’s own satellite program.
In 1981, the Commission was reorganised as an independent federal agency. The Commission was tasked with learning rocket engineering, with contributions from France and the United States.
Gen Zia‘s decision to delay the PakSAT project in 1984, citing a lack of funds, led to a significant setback for SUPARCO. SUPARCO had begun constructing its first satellite, Badr-1, in 1983, and it was eventually launched by China in 1990 after negotiations with the United States failed. Badr-B was launched in 2001 by Russia.
For long, SUPARCO faced prolonged stagnation due to limited funding and shifting national priorities. That trajectory appeared to be changing.
SUPARCO also served as the secretariat for the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB), which was established in February 2024 under the National Command Authority (NCA) to regulate all space-related activities in Pakistan.
The National Command Authority (NCA) is the ultimate authority responsible for command, control, and operational decisions regarding a nation’s nuclear weapons. Headed by the Prime Minister, the composition includes top civilian and military officials, such as the Foreign, Defence, Interior, and Finance Ministers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Director General Strategic Plans Division (SPD), and services chiefs (Army, Navy, Air Force). Effective control is with the Army Chief.
Pakistan-China Space Cooperation
Pakistan-China Space partnership involved joint satellite development, technology transfers, and training Pakistani astronauts to fly to China’s Tiangong space station, reinforcing their “all-weather” strategic alliance.
Pakistan did not yet have its own launch facilities and had relied on Chinese rockets and infrastructure to deploy its satellites. China continued to play a vital role in launching Pakistan’s satellites, including the PAKSAT-MM1 in May 2024 and the PRSC-EO3 in April 2026, which enhanced Pakistan’s Earth observation and remote sensing capabilities. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the scientists and engineers and also acknowledged China’s continued support.
In February 2025, a formal agreement was signed for a Pakistani astronaut to visit the Chinese Tiangong space station. Two Pakistani nationals, Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, were selected for training to join a future Shenzhou mission as payload specialists, marking a historic first for Pakistan in space. Also in 2025, it launched three remote sensing satellites, including HS-1, the country’s first hyperspectral imaging satellite. Pakistan sent its first lunar orbiter mission called ICUBE-Q along with China’s Chang’e 6. SUPARCO also planned to launch a 35kg lunar rover with the Chang’e 8 mission.
While active cooperation accelerated recently, the relationship began in the 1990s with Chinese support for Pakistan’s first satellite, Badr-I. The collaboration was supported by initiatives like the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization, aiming to support Pakistan’s development planning, climate monitoring, and the “Digital Pakistan” initiative.
Major Active Pakistani Satellites
As of April 2026, Pakistan operated multiple active satellites, heavily focused on Earth observation and communication, with recent additions including the PRSC-EO3 (April 2026), EO-2 (Feb 2026), and HS-1 (Oct 2025) launched from China. Major active satellites included PAKSAT MM1R (May 2024): Communications satellite; ICECUBE-Q CubeSat (May 2024); PRSS-1 & PAKTES-1A (2018) for Remote sensing; PAKSAT 1R (2011) for Communication. Mostly launched by China.
Pakistan Rocket Program
Pakistan’s rocket program was divided into a civilian space agency (SUPARCO), which focused on satellites, and a military program focused on ballistic and cruise missiles.
In 1987, the military funded the commission’s design study on rocket engines for Hatf-I, which was completed with the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), the national defence laboratory of the Ministry of Defence. In 1995, the Commission designed the rocket engine for the Abdali project, which was completed in 2004.
The Commission also conducted studies on rocket engines for the Shaheen program. Today, the military sector maintains a robust arsenal, including the Shaheen and Ghauri ballistic missiles.
Pakistan’s “Space Vision 2040”, was a long-term project spanning 2011–2040 aimed at developing satellite technology for socio-economic benefits. It planned for five geostationary (GEO) and six low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Deep cooperation with China was central to current efforts, including technical collaboration.
Pakistan’s military rocket program was well-developed, with a focus on deterrence, often utilizing technology with Chinese and North Korean assistance. The Shaheen (solid-fuel) and Ghauri (liquid-fuel) series were mainstays. Cruise Missiles included the Fatah-4 and Taimoor (anti-ship). Army Rocket Force was a dedicated organisation that operated conventional missiles to strike targets.
Satellite Navigation Program
SUPARCO had been a pivotal player in Pakistan’s satellite navigation landscape. It had established a Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) on a proof of concept basis to provide correction signals to authorized users. Additionally, SUPARCO had deployed a Space Based Augmentation System (SBAS) via PAKSAT-MM1 to cater to the specific needs of aviation, marine, and land users who require high-integrity correction signals.
SUPARCO operated a Satellite Navigation Signal Monitoring facility that played a crucial role in monitoring, archiving, and analyzing satellite navigation signals from various monitoring stations located across Pakistan. This facility fostered collaboration with national and international organizations involved in satellite navigation systems.
Pakistan had been participating in a multinational humanitarian programme for satellite–aided search and rescue, the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme.
China’s Space Support to Pakistan in Op Sindoor
During Op Sindoor, China reportedly provided Pakistan with critical real-time space-based support, including ISR data and satellite communication to aid in operations against India. This support involved satellite feeds for targeting, bolstering Pakistan’s military action with Chinese-origin hardware and technology.
China provided actionable, live intelligence updates on Indian military movements via satellites during the operation. Open-source intelligence indicates Pakistan received data from Chinese Yaogan, Gaofan, and Jilin satellite constellations. China’s space assets assisted in providing battlefield transparency and logistical support to Pakistani forces.
The space support was part of a greater, coordinated effort where China provided 85 per cent of Pakistan’s military hardware, using the operation to test its weapons. This assistance highlighted growing collusivity, with China providing surveillance while Pakistan engaged in kinetic actions, acting as a “pressure valve” against India.
China denied direct involvement, while enough independent reports indicated high-level intelligence-sharing.
China’s New Satellite-Based Air Defence Support to Pakistan
Pakistan had reportedly activated indigenous, long-range, S-band, AM-350S radar and Machaan tactical AESA radars with a China-backed satellite link, reshaping South Asia’s air defence claims, Pakistani analysts. It was meant to track stealth fighters, cruise missiles, drones, and electronic warfare threats. Survivability increasingly depended on sensor dominance rather than just platform numbers alone for a network-centric kill chain. Machaan prioritised mobility and rapid displacement, which was essential when defending against adversaries capable of targeting radar emitters with precision stand-off weapons.
The most strategically consequential element was not the radars themselves but their reported integration with a China-backed satellite data link enabling real-time command-and-control across dispersed air defence nodes. Technical claims should still be treated with measured caution.
India’s Space Program
The Indian space program, spearheaded by the ISRO since 1969, was a global leader in cost-effective space exploration, satellite launch technology, and remote sensing. Renowned for milestones like Chandrayaan-3 (moon south pole landing), Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), and the reliable PSLV launcher, ISRO had transitioned from sounding rockets to interplanetary missions.
ISRO had developed indigenous capability with SLV (Satellite Launch Vehicle), ASLV (Augmented), PSLV (Polar), GSLV (Geo-Stationary), and LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), formerly known as GSLV Mk III). Known as “India’s Bahubali,” LVM3 can put 4-tonne-class satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and heavy payloads up to 8 tonnes into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The INSAT series facilitated telecommunication and meteorology, while IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) satellites supported natural resource management.
Key successes include Chandrayaan-1 (discovered water molecules on the Moon) and the Mars Orbiter Mission, which made India the first nation to reach Martian orbit on its first attempt.
Antrix Corporation and NSIL (NewSpace India Limited) commercialized launch services, placing hundreds of foreign satellites into orbit.
Future missions included “Gaganyaan” India’s human spaceflight program aimed to launch crewed missions into low Earth orbit (expected ~2027). Plans included establishing the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (Indian Space Station) and future, deeper lunar exploration with Chandrayaan-4.
The establishment of IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) aimed to encourage private participation in the space sector.
India’s Space Challenges
India’s space program faced challenges in scaling up technology for heavy-lift missions (e.g., LVM3), a reliance on foreign components, and the need for greater private sector participation. Other key challenges included launching complex manned missions (Gaganyaan), competing in the global commercial market, and addressing launch failures and supply chain limitations.
While ISRO has proven expertise, it lags behind the U.S. and China in heavy-lift capabilities. China’s Long March 5, two CZ-5 variants: CZ-5 and CZ-5B space launch vehicles. The maximum payload capacities are approximately 25,000 to low Earth orbit (for CZ-5B) and approximately 14,000 kg to geostationary transfer orbit (for CZ-5).
India sometimes had an insufficient number of annual launches (only 5 in 2025). The USA had 193 orbital launch attempts in 2025, and China had 92 orbital space launches.
India still relies on foreign suppliers for critical space components, which can create bottlenecks. Although 100 per cent FDI is permitted, the private sector faces hurdles due to the lack of a comprehensive “Space Activities Act,” leaving a “legal vacuum” for space startups.
For Gaganyaan, developing indigenous technology for life support systems, crew escape systems, and reliable, high-thrust rocket engines remained a challenge, as did the shortage of training facilities like zero-gravity simulators.
The increasing militarisation of space in South Asia, particularly with China, put pressure on India to accelerate its national security-focused satellite and defence programs. As of early 2026, India operated over 55 active satellites, with plans to significantly expand this fleet to over 100 in the coming years.
As of March 2026, India’s NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) program was facing a severe operational crisis, with only 3 satellites providing active position, navigation, and timing (PNT) services, falling below the minimum requirement of 4. Major global satellite navigation programs, collectively known as GNSS, included the US GPS, Russian GLONASS, European Galileo, and Chinese BeiDou, which provided worldwide positioning.
Recent incidents, such as the PSLV-C61 and PSLV-C62 mission failures in 2025-2026 linked to third-stage anomalies, underscored the need for improved quality control.
To Summarise
Despite starting early, Pakistan’s space program faced political instability and funding issues, causing it to fall behind India. It was initially supported by the United States, but after the 1990s, they were totally linked to China.
China was significantly boosting Pakistan’s space program, marked by the April 2026 launch of the PRSC-EO3 satellite and the selection of Pakistani astronauts for training aboard China’s Tiangong space station. This collaboration accelerated Pakistan’s “Space Vision 2040”, enhancing its remote sensing capabilities and strategic, military-related technological prowess.
The launch of PRSC-EO3 boosted Pakistan’s remote sensing and Earth observation capabilities, allowing better surveillance over India’s territory and military assets. The deepened China-Pakistan axis acted as a “strategic partnership” that linked Pakistan’s space development directly to China’s advanced technology.
The partnership strengthened Pakistan’s space assets against India’s superior ISRO-backed programs, potentially increasing the vulnerability of Indian assets and creating new security pressures in space.
Two Pakistani astronauts began training in China, with one expected to join the Shenzhou 24 mission in 2026, elevating Pakistan’s technological image in the region.
The Sino-Pak space collaboration was complemented by deeper defence cooperation, including prospective deals for advanced aircraft and missile defence systems.
India’s national security and defence priorities include Space Situational Awareness, and to meet the target to deploying up to 52 remote sensing and intelligence satellites by 2029–30 for real-time monitoring of borders and maritime domains.
Upgrading and expanding the NavIC system to provide sovereign navigation services, reducing dependence on foreign GPS systems.
Developing dedicated military space assets and more advanced counter-space capabilities (ASAT) to protect assets.
Strengthening Project NETRA (Space Situational Awareness) to monitor space debris and protect assets in congested orbits. Positioning India as a provider of space technology to South Asian neighbours and other Global South nations.
Lastly, India must monitor the development of space-based cooperation between its two adversary neighbours.
Note: The article was originally written by the Author for The First Post on 28th April 2026; it has since been updated.
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