Senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and industry representatives during the signing of contracts for GSAT-7C communication satellite capability and Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedoes, in New Delhi | Photo Credit: @SpokespersonMoD

The Indian Air Force will have a dedicated satellite , GSAT-7C, with Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday signing a contract worth ₹2,563 crore, with Bengaluru-based New Space India Ltd for secured communication capabilities.

Besides that, the MoD also signed a contract with defence PSU Bharat Dynamics Ltd, Hyderabad, valued at ₹1,543 crore, for acquisition of Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedoes (HWTs) for the Indian Navy.

The satellite will be designed, developed, and manufactured by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This satellite will enhance the secure, resilient and seamless communication capabilities for the assets of the Air Force, thereby strengthening operational effectiveness, the Ministry of Defence stated.

The satellite will provide end-to-end encrypted voice, data, and video communications for the IAF and support software-defined radios (SDR), which DRDO is in the final stages of developing as it is scouting for a production partner. This will allow the IAF to seamlessly connect ground stations, radar hubs, airbases, and airborne platforms.

The move will also aide network-centric warfare, given that GSAT-&C will act as a force multiplier by enabling real-time data sharing across fighting platforms, significantly boosting the IAF’s network-centric warfare capabilities.

As per the MoD, Varunastra is an indigenous ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory. The Indian Navy had carried out a live test of heavy weight torpedo in 2023 with a live warhead against an undersea target. After the induction, Varunastra will replace older heavy weight torpedo from naval ships.

Equipped with advanced manoeuvering capabilities, it is capable of engaging enemy submarines at long ranges, thereby enhancing the anti-submarine warfare capability of the Navy, stated the Ministry.

The contracts were signed in the presence of Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition), Department of Defence A Anbarasu, on Thursday. The Ministry said both contracts mark a significant step towards advancing the development of domestic defence manufacturing capabilities while promoting self-reliance in critical technologies in line with the Government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make-in-India’ vision.

Published on October 15, 2026