Early missile warning systems are the first layer of decisive advantage in modern warfare. The core of these systems is primarily to detect any missile launches, track their trajectories and predict their impact in almost near real time. But the real value is not just in detection; it is the time it takes for us to be able to understand and make decisions on time—minutes, sometimes even seconds, that allow a nation to move from uncertainty to action. These observations were made during an interaction with THE WEEK by Anirudh Sharma, Founder and CEO, Digantara, the space start-up that specialises in space defence.
He emphasised that time is a decisive factor in modern warfare, enabling faster interception, asset protection, escalation control, and informed decision-making. With the rise of hypersonic weapons, ICBMs, and rapid strike capabilities, reducing decision latency is critical. Solutions that compress response time can enhance resilience and minimise vulnerabilities during conflict.
“The real value is for us to be able to detect a missile launch and take informed decisions on time. So at the most basic level, these early warning systems provide nations with critical decision time. Detecting a missile launch within seconds via space-based sensors gives a clear window to assess intent, understand trajectories and activate measures to counter the strike. Without early warning systems, response timelines get delayed, which increases the risk of escalation. Given the current geopolitical situation, it is in the advantage of nations, including India, to leverage early missile warning systems,” remarked Sharma.
“When both sides know that launches will be detected and verified, it reduces incentives for a surprise first strike. Ironically, better detection makes restraint more likely. In a landscape where seconds can define outcomes, that time directly translates into strategic control and deterrence credibility. It reduces the risk by bringing transparency to the most critical moments of conflict. We can safely say that early missile warning is what keeps the escalation in check,” added Sharma.
Digantra is working on three different phases of missile detection. The first phase is called the boost phase, and the second is called mid-course. The last is reentry. Citing the example of the recent conflict of Operation Sindoor, Sharma explained that when one looks at the interceptions that were done were through radar-based systems, all of them were done on the re-entry phase of the missile entry. “What we are looking at solving for is basically using space-based systems to enable decision advantage during the launch of a missile, which is boost phase detection. Just assume that a missile is being launched from a point X from a different geography, and as soon as it gets launched, our space-based infrared detectors will pick thermal signatures and help us map out the trajectory of the missile,” said Sharma.
He informed that the boost and mid-course phases are two different phases that are primarily tracked from space. Re-entry is something that is solved for using ground-based systems. According to Sharma, using ground-based systems has certain limitations. For instance, the earth's curvature when one is using a radar and so it's limited. “What we want to enable is making decisions on where to intercept, what to intercept, much before using space-based missile detection programs,” said Sharma.
Recently, Israel’s Blue Sparrow had reached the edge and re-entered the earth’s atmosphere and had killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. If Iran had even a basic version of such space-based tracking infrastructure, satellites watching the sky above and around Israeli territory, the launch could have been detected within seconds. Such detection would have been sent to ground-based defence systems with one critical piece of information: where is this missile going, and when will it arrive.