Special Report: Indian firm develops satellite-based thermal sensing for missile detection
An Indian startup is developing space-based thermal observation systems designed to detect missile launches in hotspots and conflict zones.
www.janes.com
An Indian startup is developing space-based thermal observation systems designed to detect missile launches in hotspots and conflict zones.
Speaking to Janes, Shravan Bhati, the co-founder and CEO of SatLeo Labs, said the recent United States-Israel war with Iran from 28 February to 8 April demonstrated how infrared sensors could be employed to detect missile launches.
Founded in 2023 and based in Ahmedabad, India, the company plans to deploy a constellation of 15 satellites to support thermal sensing applications for both military and civilian users. Bhati said the technology is capable of rapidly identifying heat signatures associated with surface-launched missiles, as well as determining whether strategic infrastructure such as nuclear reactors is operational by analysing thermal output.
“Extremely high-temperature sources, such as those exceeding 1,000°C, are particularly easy to detect due to their strong radiative contrast. Any object generating significant heat stands out distinctly in the thermal band, allowing for reliable identification even against complex backgrounds,” he said.
Bhati added that thermal sensing can “rapidly identify the origin of missiles… as the thermal plume and heat source are captured in near real time”.
He said SatLeo Labs is also employing open-source thermal signature data to support the identification of ground combat vehicle types, based on heat emissions associated with specific metals and components.
Capabilities
While space-based thermal imaging is not a new capability, Bhati said SatLeo Labs' satellite payloads will generate datasets from three sources: a dual-band medium-wave infrared (MWIR) and long-wave infrared (LWIR) sensor, and a visible-band camera.
Italy's Fincantieri eyes India tie-ups for naval platforms
Italian warship maker Fincantieri eyes major collaboration with India. The company sees potential in combining India's manufacturing skills with its advanced maritime technologies. This partnership aims to create competitive naval solutions for both regional and global markets.
Italy's largest warship manufacturer sees significant opportunities in partnering with India, with its top executive saying that combining India's manufacturing expertise with advanced technologies can create competitive solutions for both regional and global markets.
"By combining India's manufacturing expertise with Fincantieri's advanced technologies in maritime defence, offshore platforms and environmentally sustainable ships, we see the opportunity to jointly shape competitive solutions for both regional and global markets," Fincantieri's CEO and Managing Director, Pierroberto Folgiero said.In an interview with ET ahead of Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto's visit to India, Folgiero said that over the next decade, the company's objective is to work with Indian partners on a variety of next generation vessels and maritime solutions.
"In India, we see cooperation evolving in high-value technological domains - complex platform design, combat system integration, advanced propulsion, digital ship management and the underwater domain," he said, adding that there is an opportunity to explore the creation of an engineering hub in the country.
Describing India as a priority, the executive said that Fincantieri is entering a new phase of strategic maritime collaboration with India as it stands out for the scale and depth of engineering talent, increasingly sophisticated manufacturing base and a supply chain that is rapidly moving up the value curve.
Folgiero also mentioned possible collaboration for an upcoming Indian plan to acquire large Landing Platform Dock (LPD) warships, pointing out that Fincantieri has built the "Trieste" for the Italian Navy, the latest LPD to be commissioned globally.
Italy's Fincantieri eyes India tie-ups for naval platforms
Italian warship maker Fincantieri eyes major collaboration with India. The company sees potential in combining India's manufacturing skills with its advanced maritime technologies. This partnership aims to create competitive naval solutions for both regional and global markets.economictimes.indiatimes.com
Italy's largest warship manufacturer sees significant opportunities in partnering with India, with its top executive saying that combining India's manufacturing expertise with advanced technologies can create competitive solutions for both regional and global markets.
"By combining India's manufacturing expertise with Fincantieri's advanced technologies in maritime defence, offshore platforms and environmentally sustainable ships, we see the opportunity to jointly shape competitive solutions for both regional and global markets," Fincantieri's CEO and Managing Director, Pierroberto Folgiero said.In an interview with ET ahead of Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto's visit to India, Folgiero said that over the next decade, the company's objective is to work with Indian partners on a variety of next generation vessels and maritime solutions.
"In India, we see cooperation evolving in high-value technological domains - complex platform design, combat system integration, advanced propulsion, digital ship management and the underwater domain," he said, adding that there is an opportunity to explore the creation of an engineering hub in the country.
Describing India as a priority, the executive said that Fincantieri is entering a new phase of strategic maritime collaboration with India as it stands out for the scale and depth of engineering talent, increasingly sophisticated manufacturing base and a supply chain that is rapidly moving up the value curve.
Folgiero also mentioned possible collaboration for an upcoming Indian plan to acquire large Landing Platform Dock (LPD) warships, pointing out that Fincantieri has built the "Trieste" for the Italian Navy, the latest LPD to be commissioned globally.
They all want to sell their defence products. India should never place orders without significant TOT.
The entire ANI conference. There are multiple sectors covered. Placing it here.
This is India's first germanium-free thermal imaging system for drones. It was built right here in India by this Hyderabad-based startup - @EonSpacelabs.
And it is a huge deal.
Right now, India imports almost 100% of its germanium. No points for guessing which country controls the germanium supply chain (yup, it's China).
Now, building the lens is great. But that was only part of the solution. See, surveillance drones equipped with these EON Space Labs' imaging systems might get deployed in Kashmir's -20 degrees Celsius temperature or hot desserts of Rajasthan where temperatures can reach nearly 50 degrees Celsius. And in those conditions - lenses can either contract or expand slightly. But that slight change can hamper its ability to distinguish a rock from a human from a 2km distance - which can be critical.
To fix this - EON Space Labs has trained their AI which takes into account things like heat intensity, along with spatial and temporal recognition patterns. Oh and btw - they've also built India's lightest space telescope called MIRA - which weighs just 500 gms and has the ability to capture and process the image in space - instead of sending it back on Earth.
Groundbreaking event of new ITP Aero facility in Hyderabad
Today ITP Aero has held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the expansion of its operations in Hyderabad, India. This new site will increase the company’s footprint in India and reinforce its long‑term commitment to the region. ITP Aero has been present in Hyderabad for 15 years, during which time it has built strong local capabilities, a highly skilled workforce and close relationships across the regional ecosystem.
The new Hyderabad site, which will be fully operational in 2027, will manufacture commercial aviation engine components, including fabrications and machining parts, supporting increasing global demand across the civil aerospace market and further strengthening ITP Aero’s role in global commercial aviation. The new facility marks the next phase of the company’s growth in India, positioning its Indian operations for the years to come.
