IAF to have its own eye in space by 2010 end

With a view to increase its surveillance capabilities, the 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 in Bangalore on Thursday.

The satellite to be launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation next year will be a dual-use satellite, to be used for civilian purposes also.

It will help the IAF to position its aerial and ground assets and targets. It would also be used to gather navigational information.

In the recent past, the IAF has been working closely with the ISRO 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.

IAF's southern command based in Thiruvananthapuram works closely with the ISRO in space related areas. At the air headquarters also, one Air Vice Marshal rank officer looks after space operations.