New Delhi: The Indian Navy is taking another important step towards strengthening its space-based maritime communication network. The Navy plans to develop indigenous Ship-Based Satellite Communication (SATCOM) terminals to improve secure communication between warships, aircraft and naval command centres across the Indian Ocean Region.
The initiative aims to reduce dependence on foreign technology and support India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities. It will also improve the Navy’s ability to share information and coordinate operations over long distances.
Indian Navy Pushes For Indigenous SATCOM Technology
The Indian Navy is inviting Indian industries to develop advanced ship-based satellite communication terminals under the Make-II procurement framework.
These systems will work with GSAT-7R, also known as CMS-03, India’s dedicated naval communication satellite.
The proposed terminals will help naval platforms exchange voice, data and video securely, even when operating far away from the Indian coastline.
The initiative is part of India’s wider effort to strengthen defence self-reliance and modernise its maritime communication infrastructure.
What Is GSAT-7R (CMS-03)
GSAT-7R, also known as CMS-03, is an advanced multi-band communication satellite developed for the Indian Navy by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The satellite was successfully launched on November 2, 2025, aboard India’s LVM3-M5 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Weighing approximately 4,400 kg, CMS-03 is India’s heaviest communication satellite launched from Indian soil into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
It is designed to provide communication services across a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass.
The satellite supports secure communication links between naval ships, aircraft, submarines and Maritime Operations Centres.
Indigenous SATCOM Technology: Three Indigenous Terminal Designs Planned
Under the proposed programme, the Indian Navy wants three different prototype systems to be developed. These include:
- Large C-Band Terminal: Designed for high-capacity satellite communication.
- Large Ku-Band Terminal: Intended to provide secure and reliable connectivity.
- Small Ku-Band Terminal: A compact system for suitable naval platforms.
If the development programme is successful, the Navy could move towards procuring approximately 30 operational terminals. The systems will be designed to support reliable communication during long-distance naval deployments.
Make-II Project To Promote Defence Self-Reliance
The project comes under the Make-II category of India’s Defence Acquisition Procedure. Under this framework, private companies take responsibility for developing and funding prototypes. The initiative provides an opportunity for Indian companies to develop advanced defence communication technologies.
According to the Department of Defence Production, the Expression of Interest (EoI) for the Ship-Based SATCOM Terminal project was published on August 31, 2026.
The response deadline was October 24, 2026. The project is intended to encourage greater participation from India’s domestic defence industry.
Indigenous SATCOM Technology: 50% Indigenous Content Requirement
One of the important conditions of the programme is the requirement for at least 50% indigenous content across hardware and embedded software.
This means Indian companies must use a significant amount of locally developed technology and components.
The initiative is expected to support domestic manufacturers, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), startups and technology developers. It could also help India reduce its dependence on imported defence communication equipment.
Advanced Testing To Ensure Reliable Communication At Sea
Developing satellite communication equipment for naval ships is a difficult technical task..Warships continuously experience movement caused by waves, wind and changing sea conditions. These movements can affect the performance of satellite communication systems.
The proposed terminals will therefore undergo strict testing to check their ability to maintain stable satellite connections. The testing process includes three-axis motion table trials to simulate ship movements.
The systems will also undergo technical evaluation at the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad. Security and vulnerability assessments will be required before their integration into the Navy’s operational communication network.
These tests will help ensure that the equipment can operate reliably in demanding maritime environments.
How SATCOM Improves India’s Network-Centric Warfare Capability
Satellite communication plays an important role in modern naval operations.
It allows ships, submarines, aircraft and command centres to exchange information over long distances.
This capability supports network-centric warfare, in which different military platforms share information and work together through a connected communication network.
The Indian Navy has already demonstrated the importance of this approach.
During Exercise TROPEX in 2014, around 60 warships and 75 aircraft were connected through the GSAT-7 satellite network.
Such connectivity helps naval commanders build a better operational picture and coordinate different military assets more effectively..The new indigenous terminals are expected to strengthen these capabilities further.
Indian Navy Also Focuses On Space-Based Intelligence
Apart from satellite communication, the Indian Navy is also interested in strengthening its space-based intelligence capabilities.
Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) is an important part of modern maritime security. It involves collecting and analysing electronic signals from radar systems and other radio-frequency sources.
Such information can help identify electronic activity and improve awareness of developments across maritime regions.
Communication satellites and intelligence systems perform different roles. However, together they can support a more connected and informed maritime defence network.
Read also: Meet The Technology That Could Connect Every Indian Warship In Real Time Is Being Built In India
FAQs
GSAT-7R, also known as CMS-03, is an advanced communication satellite developed for the Indian Navy by ISRO. It was launched on November 2, 2025, to improve secure communication across the Indian Ocean Region.
The project aims to develop Indian-made ship-based satellite communication terminals. These systems will support secure voice, data and video communication between naval ships and command centres.
Make-II is a defence procurement framework that encourages Indian companies to develop indigenous military technologies. Under this framework, companies generally fund prototype development themselves, helping promote domestic defence manufacturing and innovation.
