In a move that has sparked significant attention in the defence and satellite imagery sectors, Maxar Technologies, a leading US-based provider of high-resolution satellite imagery, has terminated its partnership with Business Systems International Pvt Ltd (BSI), a Pakistan-based firm. This decision, made on 9 May 2025, followed an investigative report that brought to light potential security risks associated with BSI’s activities, particularly concerning orders for satellite images of sensitive areas in India. The incident underscores the complexities of international partnerships in industries critical to national security.
Details of the Investigative Report
The report revealed that Maxar Technologies had been receiving orders for high-resolution satellite images of Pahalgam, a region in India, since June 2024. A notable surge in orders occurred between 2 and 22 February 2025, during which at least 12 orders were placed, double the typical volume for such imagery. Specific orders were recorded on 12, 15, 18, 21, and 22 February 2025. No orders were placed in March 2025, but requests resumed on 12 April 2025, just 10 days before a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. Additional orders followed on 24 and 29 April 2025.
Each satellite image, with pixel resolutions ranging from 30 cm to 15 cm, carried a starting cost of Rs 3 lakh, with prices increasing based on resolution. Beyond Pahalgam, orders were also placed for images of other sensitive regions in India, including Pulwama, Anantnag, Poonch, Rajouri, and Baramulla. The timing and volume of these orders raised concerns about their potential implications for regional security.
Background on Business Systems International (BSI)
BSI, the Pakistani firm at the centre of this controversy, is owned by Obaidullah Syed, a Pakistani-American businessman with a troubled legal history. Between 2006 and 2015, Syed engaged in illegal exports of high-performance computing equipment and software solutions to Pakistani government agencies, including the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). The PAEC, responsible for designing and testing nuclear weapon components, is a critical entity in Pakistan’s nuclear program.
In 2021, Syed pleaded guilty to violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by exporting goods without the required US Department of Commerce authorisation. In 2022, he was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison by US District Judge Mary M. Rowland and forfeited $247,000 in illicit proceeds. Despite this criminal background, BSI was enlisted as a partner by Maxar Technologies in 2023, a decision that has now come under scrutiny.
Maxar Technologies and Its Global Reach
Maxar Technologies is a key player in the satellite imagery industry, providing high-resolution images to government and private clients worldwide. Its clientele includes prominent Indian institutions such as the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), as well as at least 11 Indian space tech startups, including Antrix Corporation Ltd, CYRAN AI Solutions, Lepton Software, and Satpalda Geospatial Services. Maxar’s extensive network comprises over 120 private partners globally, making its partnerships a critical component of its operations.
BSI’s inclusion as a partner in 2023 raised eyebrows given Syed’s history, but Maxar maintained that BSI’s role was limited. The company’s swift action to remove BSI from its partner list after the Pahalgam incident suggests a proactive response to potential risks, though questions remain about the initial decision to collaborate with the firm and raises doubt on why the repeated demand of images of a particular place with that much high price was not questioned or reported.
Maxar’s Official Response
On 6 May 2025, Tomi Maxted, Maxar’s head of corporate and product communications, issued a statement addressing the concerns raised by the report. Maxted clarified that BSI had not placed any orders for satellite images of Pahalgam or surrounding areas in 2025, nor had it accessed any such imagery from Maxar’s archives. Despite this assurance, Maxar removed BSI from its list of partners on 9 May 2025, hours after the report was published. Screenshots indicate that BSI was listed as a partner on Maxar’s website until that date, confirming the rapid response to the controversy.
Maxar’s decision to terminate the partnership, despite its claim that BSI was not involved in the Pahalgam orders, suggests a cautious approach to managing its reputation and addressing security concerns. However, the company did not respond to a questionnaire sent by journalists prior to the report’s publication, leaving some aspects of the situation unclear.
Implications for International Partnerships
The termination of Maxar’s partnership with BSI highlights the challenges of maintaining secure and ethical collaborations in the satellite imagery and defence sectors. The incident raises questions about due diligence in selecting partners, particularly when they operate in geopolitically sensitive regions or have controversial histories. While no direct evidence links BSI to the Pahalgam image orders, the timing of the orders, particularly those placed shortly before the 22 April 2025 terror attack, has fueled speculation about their purpose and origin.
Maxar’s extensive partnerships, including with Indian firms, demonstrate its critical role in global security and space technology. The company’s clients, such as India’s Ministry of Defence and ISRO, rely on its imagery for strategic purposes, making the integrity of its partnerships paramount. The removal of BSI from Maxar’s partner list serves as a reminder of the need for rigorous oversight and transparency in such collaborations.
Table: Key Details of Satellite Image Orders
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company | Maxar Technologies |
| Start of Orders | June 2024 |
| Peak Order Period | 2–22 February 2025 (12 orders, double the usual number) |
| Specific February Dates | 12, 15, 18, 21, 22 February 2025 |
| March Orders | None |
| April Orders | 12, 24, 29 April 2025 (12 April was 10 days before terror attack) |
| Cost per Image | Starts at Rs 3 lakh, increases with resolution |
| Image Resolution | 30 cm to 15 cm per pixel |
| Other Regions Imaged | Pulwama, Anantnag, Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla |
The swift removal of BSI from Maxar Technologies’ partner list on 9 May 2025 reflects the high stakes involved in the satellite imagery industry, where national security and international relations intersect. The investigative report that prompted this action brought critical issues to light, including the timing of satellite image orders for Pahalgam and the controversial background of BSI’s owner, Obaidullah Syed. While Maxar has stated that BSI was not involved in the Pahalgam orders, the decision to end the partnership underscores the importance of vigilance in global collaborations. As companies like Maxar navigate complex geopolitical landscapes, incidents like this highlight the need for robust due diligence and transparency to maintain trust and security.
Now, it would be interesting to see whether the investigators of the Pahalgam incident push this issue further while investigating the case or leave it in the dust, keeping the country Maxar belongs to in mind.
