India signs Rs 4,106 crore defence deals for satellite and torpedoes

The Defence Ministry has signed contracts worth Rs 4,106 crore for the GSAT-7C communication satellite for the Indian Air Force and Varunastra heavyweight torpedoes for the Navy. The deals aim to strengthen operational capabilities and promote domestic defence manufacturing

New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence on Thursday said it had signed contracts worth Rs 4,106 crore for the acquisition of a dedicated communication satellite for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Varunastra heavyweight torpedoes for the Indian Navy.

Both contracts mark a significant step towards strengthening domestic defence manufacturing capabilities and promoting self-reliance in critical technologies, in line with the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.

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The contract for the GSAT-7C satellite, valued at Rs 2,563 crore, was signed with NewSpace India Limited, Bengaluru.

According to an official statement, the indigenously designed, developed and manufactured satellite will enhance secure, resilient and seamless communication capabilities for the Indian Air Force’s assets, thereby strengthening operational effectiveness.

Meanwhile, the contract for Varunastra, worth Rs 1,543 crore, was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad.

Varunastra is an indigenous ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory.

“Equipped with advanced manoeuvring capabilities, it is capable of engaging enemy submarines at long ranges, thereby enhancing the anti-submarine warfare capability of the Indian Navy,” the statement said.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Defence signed a deal worth Rs 661.50 crore with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited for the procurement of BrahMos fire control systems and launchers for Indian Navy ships under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.

With a minimum of 68 per cent indigenous content, the project encourages the active participation of various Indian industries, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), in the supply chain. The project is expected to generate employment over a period of three years.

According to the Defence Ministry, the project will also bolster India’s maritime security architecture and defence capabilities, marking a critical milestone in ongoing efforts to indigenise advanced military technology.

The BrahMos system, fitted on board various frontline warships, is the Indian Navy’s primary surface-to-surface missile (SSM) system for maritime strike operations. The weapon system is capable of targeting land and sea targets from extended ranges with pinpoint accuracy at supersonic speed.