Past operational shortcomings continue to cast a shadow over Pakistan’s defense strategy, with military leaders reportedly expressing grave concerns over satellite intelligence lapses. The memory of ‘Operation Sindoor,’ a period marked by silent screens and a lack of crucial satellite imagery, has resurfaced in high-level discussions involving Army Chief Asim Muneer and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. This vulnerability has prompted Pakistan to forge stronger ties with China and Turkey, potentially creating a new axis in space capabilities.
The critical events of May 2025 underscored Pakistan’s dependency on reliable space-based assets. During a high-stakes military response to a terror attack, the nation’s primary military satellite, PRSS-1, proved inadequate. It managed to transmit only one image before failing, reportedly due to environmental factors and orbital drift, leaving Pakistan unable to monitor adversary movements.
This significant intelligence gap, coupled with the earlier failure of the PakTES-1A satellite, forced a re-evaluation of Pakistan’s entire space surveillance architecture. The urgency of the situation led to a directive to rebuild the program with immediate effect, treating it as a national security crisis.
In response to this critical vulnerability, Pakistan has embarked on an accelerated program of international collaboration. China has been a primary partner, with Turkey joining to bolster capabilities. Exploratory engagements with European firms and informal channels with the United States have also been part of this strategic outreach.
Pakistan has moved swiftly to expand its satellite constellation. The launch of PAUSAT-1, a 10U nano-class satellite, represents a significant step. Developed collaboratively by Air University and Istanbul Technical University, and launched on a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket, this satellite is equipped with advanced high-resolution cameras and specialized sensors for detailed land and crop analysis. The partnership with Turkey is seen as a conduit for accessing European space technology.
Further strengthening its capabilities, Pakistan deployed PRSC-EOL on January 17 from China’s Jiuquan spaceport. While framed as a Pakistani achievement, the satellite’s design, technology, and launch were China’s responsibility. PRSC-EOL is designed for environmental studies and possesses considerable military intelligence value.
In October 2024, HS-1 was placed in orbit with China’s assistance. This satellite, outfitted with hyperspectral sensors, is adept at detecting concealed military installations, monitoring activity near airfields, and identifying subtle structural changes, positioning it as a key intelligence asset for Pakistan.
The limitations of the PRSS-1, which failed to provide continuous coverage due to weather and orbital issues, created dangerous windows of opportunity for adversaries. Pakistan’s constrained ground station network, with one station hobbled by severe flooding, exacerbates these challenges. The lengthy wait times for satellite imagery purchased from companies like Airbus, often 36-48 hours, are impractical for rapidly evolving conflict situations, highlighting the advantages of China’s more immediate data delivery.
Pakistan’s future strategy includes the development of its own Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, targeted for 2026-27. SAR technology offers the critical advantage of all-weather, day-and-night imaging, which is essential for real-time defense awareness and overcoming the limitations of previous optical satellites.
