Defence ministry signs ₹4,106 crore contracts for IAF satellite, Navy torpedoes

The Defence Ministry on Thursday signed contracts worth ₹4,106 crore for a dedicated communication satellite for the Indian Air Force and Varunastra heavy weight torpedoes for the Indian Navy.

The contracts include ₹2,563 crore for the GSAT-7C satellite and ₹1,543 crore for Varunastra torpedoes, the ministry said in a statement.

The GSAT-7C contract was signed with Bengaluru-based New Space India Ltd, while the agreement for Varunastra was inked with Bharat Dynamics Ltd, headquartered in Hyderabad.

The indigenously designed, developed and manufactured GSAT-7C satellite will enhance the "secure, resilient & seamless communication capabilities" of the IAF's assets, thereby strengthening their operational effectiveness, the ministry said.

The satellite is intended to provide a dedicated communication capability to the Air Force.

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

"Equipped with advanced maneuvering capabilities", the torpedo is capable of engaging enemy submarines at long ranges, enhancing the Navy's anti-submarine warfare capability, the ministry said.

The contracts were signed in New Delhi in the presence of Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) A Anbarasu on October 15.

The ministry said both agreements mark a step towards advancing domestic defence manufacturing and promoting self-reliance in critical technologies, in line with the government's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make-in-India' vision.