Defence Minister A.K. Antony, in his address to the Naval Senior Officer’s Conference in New Delhi, stated that the Indian Navy will get its own dedicated military satellite. The Naval Communication Satellite, to be launched in 2010, is expected to “significantly improve connectivity at sea.”1 Being built by ISRO, the satellite would be placed in geo-stationary orbit and would have a coverage area of about 600-1000 nautical miles over the Indian Ocean Region. This would enable the Navy to link all its ships, submarines and aircrafts through a high-speed secured communication channel.

Reports also noted that the Air Force and the Army are expected to launch their own dedicated satellites in 2011-12.2

• 1. Government of India, Press Information Bureau, “Multidimensional maritime responsibilities of Indian Navy central to prosperity and security of nation: Antony,” October 22, 2009
• 2. Rajat Pandit, “Navy to get its own eye in the sky by ’10,” The Times of India, October 23, 2009.