Collectively over 500 participants from 20 plus countries, 80 plus speakers and representations from more than 60 organisations will mark the defence-space dialogue at the event
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Top government and military leadership will converge at the 4th edition of DEFSAT 2026 for three days from February 24 to deliberate over structured policy coordination, capability road-mapping and doctrine development which will help shape scenarios for IndSpaceX 4.0, India’s first industry-led defence-space tabletop exercise.
It will also formalise creation of the Strategic Defence Space Group (SSG), a high-level multi-stakeholder body to support the country’s long-term military space preparedness. Collectively over 500 participants from 20 plus countries, 80 plus speakers and representations from more than 60 organisations will mark the defence-space dialogue at the event , said the organisers.
The DEFSAT, carrying the theme of “Space at the Core of National Security”, will have 13 sessions that span from strategic doctrine and resilience to industrial cooperation and doctrine implementation.
Key confirmed leading participants for the seminar include Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Deputy Chief of Army Staff — Strategy; Air Vice Marshal Manu Midha, Director General of the Defence Space Agency (DSA); Sanjay Bahl, Director General, CERT-In; and Vinayak Godse, CEO, Data Security Council of India.
Top government and military leadership expected to join, as per the organisers, include the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, and senior tri-services leadership such as Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit (CISC) and other senior representatives from the armed forces, defence agencies, and national security institutions.
Speaking ahead of the event, Subba Rao Pavuluri, President, SatCom Industry Association-India, said: “Globally, more than 50 countries now operate military or dual-use satellites, and space has become central to deterrence and operational readiness. DEFSAT’s theme placing space at the core of national security reflects a shift from viewing space as an enabler to recognising it as a strategic security domain that requires doctrine, resilience and coordinated planning.”
DEFSAT 2026 will also feature an exhibition segment showcasing a cross-section of India’s and the global defence–space ecosystem.
Published on February 21, 2026
