SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Institutions: Department of Space (ISRO) | Ministry of Communications
On 30 September 2025, the UK Space Agency announced 23 international projects worth £6.5 million under its International Bilateral Fund (IBF). A key highlight is the UK–India “5G-from-orbit” project, where firms from both countries will co-develop satellite-based 5G base stations, advancing global connectivity solutions. Other projects span Earth observation, biotech in space, deep space radar, and in-orbit servicing, with partners from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the USA.
The initiative is part of the UK’s broader restructuring, which will integrate the Space Agency into the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) by 2026. For India, the partnership demonstrates growing recognition of its space-tech ecosystem and opens new frontiers for cooperation in satellite communications and innovation-led diplomacy.
India’s participation signals opportunities to embed space-based 5G, climate monitoring, and biotech research into the country’s industrial policy, complementing Digital India and National Space Policy 2023.
What is the International Bilateral Fund (IBF)? → A UK government grant mechanism to support collaborative space R&D projects between UK entities and international partners.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can India leverage international bilateral funds to accelerate its own space-tech priorities while building leadership in satellite-based communications and emerging frontier technologies?
Follow the full news here: UK Space Agency goes global with 23 new projects