Indian Army To Get Its Own Satellite, Defence Ministry Inks Rs 3,000 Crore Deal

To fulfil a long-standing need, the defence ministry signed a 3,000-crore contract with New Space India Limited for an advanced communication satellite, GSAT 7B.

The Indian Army, unlike the Indian Air Force and Navy, does not currently have a dedicated satellite. (Representational Image)

Source : PTI

The defence ministry signed a 3,000-crore contract with New Space India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on Wednesday for an advanced communication satellite, GSAT 7B, for the army to fulfil a long-standing need, according to an official statement released by the ministry. 

Unlike the Indian Air Force and Navy, the army does not currently have a dedicated satellite. ISRO will develop the five-tonne geostationary satellite indigenously, the ministry said. 

According to media reports, the army is expected to receive the satellite in 2026.

The advanced security satellite will support the tactical communication needs of not only ground troops, but also remotely piloted aircraft, air defence weapons, and other mission-critical and fire support platforms.

The army's proposal for a GSAT-7B satellite in March 2022 was approved by India's defence acquisition council (DAC), the government's top weapons procurement body. ISRO's GSAT-7 series of advanced satellites are designed to provide users with communication capabilities across vast distances, including oceans.

Many satellite parts, sub-assemblies, and systems will be sourced from indigenous manufacturers, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups, according to the ministry, which added that the project will employ around 300,000 people over the next three and a half years.

The ministry also signed two other contracts with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) worth approximately Rs. 2,400 crores to improve the armed forces' air defence capabilities.

Details Of The Projects Signed Under The Contract: 

Project Akashteer: This automated air defence control and reporting system will provide the Indian army's air defence units with an indigenous, cutting-edge capability to operate in an integrated manner. Akashteer will monitor low-level airspace over Indian army battle areas and effectively control ground-based air defence weapon systems.

Sarang Systems: It is an advanced electronic support measure system for Indian Navy helicopters designed and developed in-house by the defence electronics research laboratory in Hyderabad as part of the Samudrika programme.

Advanced Communication Satellite: The satellite will significantly improve the Indian Army's communication capability by providing mission-critical beyond-line-of-sight communication to troops and formations, as well as weapon and airborne platforms.