The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract worth Rs 2,563 crore with Bengaluru-headquartered New Space India Ltd (NSIL) for the acquisition of a dedicated communication satellite capability – GSAT-7C – for the Indian Air Force. 

The indigenously designed, developed and manufactured satellite will enhance the secure, resilient and seamless communication capabilities for the assets of the Indian Air Force, thereby strengthening operational effectiveness, the MoD announced on Thursday.

“In a major boost to #AtmanirbharBharat, the Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) for the indigenous GSAT-7C satellite to enhance the operational capabilities of the #IndianAirForce.

“The satellite will strengthen secure, resilient and seamless communications across IAF assets,” the Indian Air Force posted on X. 

The MoD also signed a contract worth Rs 1,543 crore with Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) for indigenous ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo, Varunastra, for the Indian Navy.  

The torpedo is developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL).

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

The two contracts, totalling approximately Rs 4,106 crore, were signed in the presence of Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition), Department of Defence, A Anbarasu, in New Delhi on October 15, 2026. 

“Both contracts mark a significant step towards advancing the development of domestic defence manufacturing capabilities while promoting self-reliance in critical technologies in line with Government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make-in-India’ vision,” the Defence Ministry said.