New Delhi, May 12 -- India is looking to give its satellite-based surveillance capabilities a rapid makeover, as the country navigates a tenuous ceasefire with neighbour Pakistan after the worst hostilities seen since a war between them in 1971.

The Centre has tasked three private firms-Ananth Technologies, Centum Electronics, and Alpha Design Technologies-to compress their satellite development timeline from four years to 12-18 months, according to three people aware of the matter. The satellites are now targeted to be ready by end-2026 or earlier instead of end-2028, the three people said, requesting anonymity due to the matter's sensitivity.

One of the satellites-under advanced stages of development by Ananth Technologies-may even be...