New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence signed two contracts worth approximately ₹4,106 crore on October 15, covering a dedicated GSAT-7C communication satellite for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Varunastra heavyweight torpedoes for the Indian Navy, strengthening indigenous capabilities in secure military communications and anti-submarine warfare.
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The ₹2,563-crore GSAT-7C contract is awarded to NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), Bengaluru. The indigenously designed, developed and manufactured satellite will provide secure, resilient and seamless communication capabilities for IAF assets, supporting operational coordination and effectiveness.
The second contract, worth ₹1,543 crore, is signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hyderabad, for Varunastra heavyweight torpedoes. Developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Varunastra is an indigenous ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo designed to engage enemy submarines at long ranges, enhancing the Navy’s underwater warfare capabilities.
The contracts are signed in New Delhi in the presence of A. Anbarasu, Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) in the Department of Defence. The procurement advances the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India objectives by supporting domestic production in two strategically important defence technology segments.
The combined investment addressed two distinct operational requirements: secure communications for the Air Force and a stronger ship-launched submarine-engagement capability for the Navy. It also channeled major defence orders to Indian public-sector enterprises, reinforcing the role of domestic industry in building critical military systems.
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