India’s Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth approximately ₹4,106 crore on October 15 for a dedicated communications satellite for the Indian Air Force and heavyweight torpedoes for the Indian Navy.
The agreements cover the GSAT-7C satellite, valued at ₹2,563 crore, and Varunastra heavyweight torpedoes worth ₹1,543 crore. The satellite contract was signed with NewSpace India Limited in Bengaluru, while the torpedo agreement was awarded to Bharat Dynamics Limited in Hyderabad.
GSAT-7C is designed to strengthen secure and resilient communications for Indian Air Force assets. The satellite is being indigenously designed, developed and manufactured, supporting efforts to expand India’s domestic capabilities in military communications.
The Varunastra torpedoes are intended to enhance the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability. Developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, the ship-launched weapons can engage submarines at long ranges and feature advanced manoeuvring capabilities.
The contracts were signed in New Delhi in the presence of A. Anbarasu, Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) in the Defence Ministry.
The two procurements address different operational requirements. The satellite will strengthen communications infrastructure for the Air Force, while the torpedoes will expand the Navy’s underwater warfare capabilities.
The agreements support India’s wider effort to develop domestic defence manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers for critical technologies. The ministry said the contracts were aligned with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
The signing marks a procurement milestone; delivery and implementation will determine when the new capabilities become operational.
