ISLAMABAD: In a significant move to enhance secure military communications,the Indian Ministry of Defence has accelerated funding for an indigenousgeostationary satellite aimed at providing jam-resistant links for armedforces operations. This development comes amid reports of vulnerabilitiesin existing systems during heightened electronic warfare activities alongborders with neighbours.The decision underscores growing concerns overcommunication disruptions attributed to advanced electronic warfareplatforms. Defence analysts note that reliable, protected satellitechannels are essential for network-centric operations involving air, land,and naval assets in contested environments.
Existing military communication satellites, such as GSAT-7 for the Navy andGSAT-7A for the Air Force, have provided multi-band capabilities sincetheir launches in 2013 and 2018 respectively. These systems supportreal-time data exchange across vast oceanic and continental regions,enabling coordinated responses.The new initiative focuses on expandingdedicated infrastructure, particularly for ground forces. Contracts signedin recent years with NewSpace India Limited highlight commitments todevelop advanced high-throughput satellites under indigenous programmes,aligning with self-reliance goals in defence technology.
Electronic warfare has emerged as a critical domain in modern conflicts,with capabilities to intercept, jam, or spoof signals posing risks tocommand and control. Reports from various sources indicate deployments ofsophisticated jamming systems during standoffs, prompting reviews ofcommunication resilience.India’s space agency has successfully placedmultiple geostationary satellites in orbit, demonstrating expertise inbuilding robust payloads for strategic applications. Upcoming projects aimto incorporate enhanced encryption and anti-jam features to safeguardtransmissions against adversarial interference.
The push for indigenous development reflects broader efforts to reducedependence on foreign technologies for sensitive military requirements.This includes sourcing components from domestic industries, fosteringemployment, and building long-term capabilities in satellitemanufacturing.Analysts observe that secure satellite communications offerbeyond-line-of-sight connectivity, vital for remote deployments andintegrated operations. Investments in this area are expected to strengthenoperational preparedness across services in diverse terrains.
As geopolitical tensions persist, nations are prioritising protectedcommunication networks to maintain superiority in the electromagneticspectrum. India’s ongoing satellite programmes contribute to thisobjective, ensuring uninterrupted links for high-priority missions.Theevolution of military space assets illustrates the shift towardsmulti-domain warfare, where space-based systems play a pivotal role inintelligence, surveillance, and coordination. Continued advancements arelikely to shape future defence postures in the region.
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Source:https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/india-lvm3-cms-03-military-communications-satellite-launch
Tags: India, Pakistan, ISRO, GSAT-7, Electronic Warfare, Military Satellite
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