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03. November 2025
Indian Navy Unveils Cutting Edge Communications Satellite Ahead Of Schedule
The Indian Navy’s latest communications satellite, GSAT-7R (CMS-03), was successfully launched on November 2 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This mission marks a significant milestone in the country’s space program, aiming to enhance the Navy’s space-based communications and maritime domain awareness across the Indian Ocean Region.
The launch of GSAT-7R was made possible by ISRO’s LVM3-M5 rocket, also known as ‘Bahubali’, which has proven its reliability and versatility in carrying heavy payloads. According to V Narayanan, secretary of the department of space and chairman of ISRO, the Indian space sector is experiencing a period of rapid growth, providing valuable services to the user community in and around the Indian region.
The new satellite weighs approximately 4,400 kg and has been designed and developed entirely indigenously. Its primary objective is to provide secure voice, data, and video connectivity between ships, submarines, aircraft, and maritime operations centres, thereby enhancing real-time coordination at sea. This will be particularly beneficial for the Indian Navy’s operational effectiveness in maintaining maritime domain awareness across the Indian Ocean Region.
GSAT-7R succeeds its predecessor, GSAT-7 (also known as Rukmini), which was launched in 2013 as India’s first dedicated communication satellite for the Indian Navy. The new satellite expands coverage and offers enhanced data handling capabilities, making it an essential component of the Navy’s space-based communication infrastructure.
The launch of GSAT-7R has been hailed as a monumental achievement by various stakeholders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who congratulated ISRO on the successful mission, calling it a symbol of national progress and empowerment. Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan also praised the launch, highlighting the LVM3-M5 rocket’s impressive capabilities in placing the most advanced communication satellite for the Indian Navy into orbit.
The satellite will strengthen space-based communications and maritime domain awareness, supporting India’s growing ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative. Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt, DG of the Indian Space Association, described the launch as a “monumental achievement” for India’s strategic capabilities, emphasizing its role in secure communication networks and the increasing participation of private industry in space development.
The successful deployment of GSAT-7R marks a significant step in strengthening India’s naval communication infrastructure. The satellite’s advanced communication capabilities will enable real-time coordination between ships, submarines, aircraft, and maritime operations centres, thereby enhancing situational awareness and response times. This will be particularly beneficial in the face of emerging threats to national security, such as piracy and terrorism.
GSAT-7R also demonstrates India’s growing involvement in global space activities, including international cooperation and collaboration. The satellite’s advanced technology and capabilities will facilitate greater engagement with other nations in the region, promoting peace, stability, and security in the Indian Ocean Region.
The launch of GSAT-7R highlights ISRO’s ability to design, develop, and launch complex satellites that meet the evolving needs of various user communities. The Indian Navy’s use of this satellite will have far-reaching implications for national security and maritime operations. The advanced communication capabilities will enable real-time coordination between ships, submarines, aircraft, and maritime operations centres, thereby enhancing situational awareness and response times.
As ISRO continues to push the boundaries of innovation and excellence, it remains clear that the country’s space sector will play an increasingly important role in shaping its national security, economic growth, and global influence. The Indian Navy’s reliance on GSAT-7R underscores the nation’s commitment to advancing its space program and solidifying its position as a major player in global space technology.
The successful launch of GSAT-7R is expected to have significant impacts on India’s naval operations and national security strategy. With its advanced communication capabilities, this satellite will play a critical role in enhancing real-time coordination at sea, promoting maritime domain awareness, and supporting the country’s growing ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
India’s space sector continues to evolve, driven by innovation and a commitment to advancing national interests. The successful launch of GSAT-7R marks an important milestone in this journey, demonstrating ISRO’s ability to design, develop, and launch complex satellites that meet the evolving needs of various user communities.