Articles Written By Maj Gen Harvijay Singh retd

The character of warfare has undergone profound transformation. What began with the development of ballistic missiles during the World War II evolved through the Cold War’s satellite reconnaissance race and has now entered an era in which space itself has become a contested military domain. Satellites have progressed from being mere “eyes in the sky” to becoming critical instruments of military power and increasingly, potential weapons.

Military operations across the globe depend upon satellites for communications, navigation, intelligence gathering, surveillance, missile warning and precision targeting. The United States and China have recognised this reality by establishing independent space forces. India, France and Russia have created dedicated space commands within their broader defence structures – though the demands of future warfare may ultimately require them to establish independent space forces.

Modern space warfare rests upon several interconnected capabilities. Surveillance satellites constantly monitor military activity around the globe, tracking troop movements, missile launches, naval deployments, electronic emissions and thermal signatures. Electronic warfare systems seek to disrupt these space-enabled networks through jamming, spoofing and interference, degrading an adversary’s communications and navigation systems. Cyber operations target the digital infrastructure supporting satellites, including ground stations, command networks and data links. Space-based sensors provide missile warning, intelligence collection and radar imaging under all weather conditions, while anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities seek to deny an opponent access to crucial orbital assets through kinetic and non-kinetic means.

The 2026 Iran War provided a vivid demonstration of how dependent modern warfare has become on space systems. Virtually every significant American military capability employed during the conflict relied on satellite support. GPS-guided weapons delivered precision strikes, satellite communications enabled global command and control, and reconnaissance and missile-warning satellites provided continuous intelligence and early detection of Iranian missile and drone launches.

Iran, unable to match American capabilities symmetrically, adopted an asymmetric approach aimed at weakening US space-enabled advantages. With support from Russia and China, Tehran attempted to disrupt satellite-dependent operations through electronic warfare, cyber activities and alternative navigation networks. Russian assistance included advanced electronic warfare systems and satellite imagery support, while China provided access to encrypted navigation services as an alternative to GPS. Through these measures, Iran sought to reduce American technological superiority without matching it platform for platform.

One of the defining features of the conflict was the role of orbital surveillance. Infrared, radar and signals intelligence satellites continuously observed military activity across the theatre. Unlike previous wars, the conflict unfolded under the constant gaze of both military and commercial satellite constellations. Even as American forces conducted strikes on Iranian infrastructure and missile sites, Chinese commercial satellites continued to image US naval formations and air bases. The emergence of commercial space operators has created an unprecedented level of battlefield transparency, making it increasingly difficult for military forces to conceal their activities.

Electronic warfare became a central element of the contest. Iran employed Russian-origin systems to interfere with GPS signals and satellite communications, seeking to disrupt navigation and targeting processes. Reports indicated that GPS interference around the Strait of Hormuz affected commercial shipping, demonstrating the wider economic consequences of space-enabled electronic warfare. The contest highlighted how modern military operations can be disrupted without directly destroying satellites.

Cyber operations formed another vital front. American cyber forces targeted Iranian command-and-control networks in an effort to degrade targeting and communications. Iranian cyber units responded by attempting intrusions into satellite-linked networks and communication systems. The conflict demonstrated that the vulnerability of space systems often lies not in orbit, but in the digital networks and ground facilities that sustain them.