The Indian Navy is inviting domestic companies to develop ship-based satellite communication terminals, an initiative aimed at strengthening secure links between naval platforms and shore-based command centres. The proposed equipment would operate with GSAT-7R, also known as CMS-03, India’s dedicated naval communication satellite.
The procurement initiative seeks three prototype systems: a large C-band terminal, a large Ku-band terminal and a smaller Ku-band system. If development and testing succeed, the programme could lead to the production of around 30 terminals, according to a report by StratNews Global. The procurement is being pursued under the Make-II framework, which supports industry-developed defence products.
Satellite communications are important for naval forces because ships, submarines and aircraft operate across wide areas, often far from the coastline. They need reliable ways to share operational information with one another and with command centres. A communication satellite can help carry voice, data and video over long distances, supporting coordination when terrestrial networks are unavailable.
GSAT-7R was launched in November 2025 aboard ISRO’s LVM3-M5 rocket. The satellite is designed to provide secure, high-capacity communications across the Indian Ocean Region. The terminals under development would form part of the equipment needed to use that satellite from moving naval platforms.
The project also carries an industrial objective. It requires at least 50% indigenous content across hardware and embedded software, and is open to micro, small and medium enterprises, startups and eligible industry consortia. Under the Make-II approach, participating companies are expected to finance prototype development. That arrangement can encourage Indian firms to invest in specialised defence equipment, though it also places technical and financial demands on companies before a production order is guaranteed.
Building a satellite terminal for a ship is more complex than adapting equipment designed for stationary use. Vessels pitch, roll and yaw as they move through the sea. The antenna must keep its link with a satellite while the ship changes direction and rides waves. Salt, humidity, vibration and wind add further stresses to the equipment.
The Navy’s evaluation will include motion-table trials that simulate movement across three axes. The systems are also expected to undergo assessment at the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad and a vulnerability review before integration with operational networks. Testing will need to show that terminals can maintain stable communications under realistic conditions and meet security requirements.
The Navy’s interest in satellite infrastructure extends beyond communications. The same report says it has sought an indigenous space-based electronic intelligence satellite to identify radar and radio-frequency emissions over maritime areas. Such a system would serve a different purpose: communications satellites connect platforms, while electronic intelligence satellites collect information about signals. Their effectiveness would depend on coverage, sensor capability and how quickly collected information could be processed and delivered.
Greater reliance on space assets also introduces risks. Jamming, cyberattacks and signal interference could disrupt satellite services. Resilience may require secure terminals, alternative communication methods and plans for operating when a space-based link is degraded.
The terminal programme is a step toward strengthening the equipment layer of India’s naval satellite network. Its impact will depend on whether industry can produce systems that meet the Navy’s technical needs, pass testing and enter service at scale. The initiative signals an effort to build domestic capability, but the operational benefits will only become clear after the prototypes are evaluated and deployed.