IAF to have its own eye in space

With a view to increasing its surveillance capabilities, Indian Air Force is going to have its own satellite in space by the end of 2010.

"We will launch our satellite by the end of 2010," IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major said here on Thursday. The satellite to be launched by ISRO next year will be a dual-use satellite and will be used for civilian purposes also.

It will help the IAF to position its aerial and ground assets and targets. It would be used to gather navigational information. In the recent past, IAF has been working closely to develop its space-based capabilities.

It even has plans of setting up an Aerospace command under it but it has faced opposition from the other two services over the issue. Its southern command based in Thiruvananthapuram works closely with ISRO in space related areas.

At the air headquarters also, one Air Vice Marshal rank officer looks after space operations.