News Brief
ISRO To Launch Indian Navy’s Most Advanced Communication Satellite GSAT-7R Today
ISRO’s GSLV Mark-III D1 launched with GSAT-19 satellite (Representative Image)
In a major boost to India’s maritime communication capabilities, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the Indian Navy’s latest and most advanced communication satellite — GSAT-7R (CMS-03) — from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, today (2 November).
In a statement, the Defence Ministry said the indigenously designed and developed satellite will mark a significant step in strengthening the Navy’s space-based communications and maritime domain awareness network.
The launch underlines India’s growing emphasis on Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence technology.
Weighing approximately 4,400 kg, GSAT-7R is India’s heaviest communication satellite to date.
It incorporates several state-of-the-art indigenous components tailored to meet the operational needs of the Indian Navy, the ministry said.
Equipped with a suite of multi-band transponders, the satellite will provide robust telecommunication coverage across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), enabling secure voice, data, and video connectivity.
The advanced satellite is expected to significantly enhance the Navy’s capacity to coordinate real-time operations, improve situational awareness, and support long-range missions across India’s vast maritime boundaries.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the launch, the Defence Ministry stated that GSAT-7R “represents the Indian Navy's determination to protect the nation’s maritime interests leveraging advanced technology through Aatmanirbharta.”
The GSAT-7R follows earlier dedicated naval communication satellites — GSAT-7 (Rukmini) and GSAT-7A — and is expected to further strengthen India’s secure maritime communication infrastructure.
