India is poised to take another leap in maritime and space-based defence communication as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) prepares to launch the Indian Navy’s GSAT-7R (CMS-03) satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, later today.
Weighing approximately 4,400 kg, GSAT-7R will be the heaviest and most advanced indigenous communication satellite ever deployed for the Indian Navy. Designed and developed in India, the satellite incorporates several state-of-the-art indigenous components tailored to meet the Navy’s operational communication needs across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Officials said the satellite’s high-capacity transponders will support secure voice, data, and video communications over multiple frequency bands, enabling seamless real-time connectivity between ships, submarines, aircraft, and Maritime Operations Centres. It will also bolster maritime domain awareness and enhance network-centric warfare capabilities — a cornerstone of India’s ongoing naval modernisation.
“The GSAT-7R marks a new era of secure naval communication and situational awareness. It’s a major step toward strengthening India’s maritime deterrence and operational readiness,” a senior Navy official said.
ISRO will launch the satellite aboard its LVM3 heavy-lift vehicle, underscoring India’s growing self-reliance in strategic space assets. The mission also advances the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by reducing dependence on foreign communication infrastructure for defence purposes.
Huma Siddiqui
