Indian Army to receive first dedicated GSAT-7B communications satellite by mid-2028
The five-tonne geostationary payload will give ground troops secure, round-the-clock connectivity across remote borders.
The Indian Army is set to receive its first dedicated communications satellite, GSAT-7B, by mid-2028, marking a significant milestone in India's strategic defence capabilities and space-based operational control.
Developed under a ₹3,000-crore contract signed between the Ministry of Defence and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the satellite will equip ground forces with robust, round-the-clock encrypted connectivity across challenging terrain and remote border posts.
Initially planned for launch in November 2027, top officials confirmed the deployment has been adjusted by six months for technical reasons. Weighing five tonnes, GSAT-7B will be India's heaviest communications satellite to date, engineered to support beyond-line-of-sight communications for deployed troops, armoured formations, weapon systems, and airborne platforms.
Strengthening military space capabilities
Unlike the Indian Navy and Air Force, the Army currently lacks a dedicated space platform, relying on bandwidth from the IAF's GSAT-7A. The addition of GSAT-7B will significantly enhance battlefield command and operational resilience, ensuring unhindered military communications even if terrestrial infrastructure is damaged during operations.
The deployment forms part of a coordinated national effort to fortify space assets. The Ministry of Defence recently signed a ₹2,563-crore deal with NSIL for GSAT-7C for the Indian Air Force, while the Navy launched its GSAT-7R satellite last November to link warships, submarines, and maritime centres.
| Satellite or project | Primary service | Developer or contractor | Investment | Operational role || GSAT-7B | Indian Army | NSIL and ISRO | ₹3,000 crore | Secure battlefield command and border connectivity || GSAT-7C | Indian Air Force | NSIL and ISRO | ₹2,563 crore | Resilient air fleet communication network || GSAT-7R | Indian Navy | ISRO | Not disclosed | Warship, submarine and maritime station linkage || SBS Phase III | Tri-Services | ISRO and private sector | ₹26,968 crore | Space-based surveillance across 52 satellites |
Strategic doctrine and self-reliant defence
India's focus on space as a vital operational domain has gained strong momentum. The armed forces unveiled the Joint Military Space Doctrine at the Combined Commanders' Conference in Kolkata, formally integrating space operations into national defence strategy.
Under Phase III of the Space Based Surveillance (SBS) mission, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India will launch 52 dedicated military satellites over the next three years. Spearheaded by the Defence Space Agency, the ₹26,968-crore initiative involves ISRO constructing 21 satellites and domestic private sector companies building the remaining 31, cementing self-reliance in cutting-edge defence technologies.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| GSAT-7B contract value | ₹3,000 crore | Ministry of Defence contract with NewSpace India Limited |
| GSAT-7C contract value | ₹2,563 crore | Ministry of Defence contract with NewSpace India Limited |
| SBS Phase III project cost | ₹26,968 crore | Cabinet Committee on Security approval |
| Total planned SBS Phase III satellites | 52 | Cabinet Committee on Security approval |
| GSAT-7B launch timeline | Mid-2028 | Top government officials |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| GSAT-7B | Five-tonne dedicated communications satellite being developed for the Indian Army. |
| NewSpace India Limited | Commercial arm of ISRO executing contracts for defence satellites. |
| Indian Army | Primary recipient of the dedicated GSAT-7B communications satellite. |
| ISRO | Indian space agency responsible for manufacturing and launching GSAT-7B. |
