New Delhi, Oct 16:
The Defence Ministry has signed contracts worth ₹4,106 crore to strengthen the Indian Air Force’s communication capabilities and the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare preparedness.
The contracts, signed on October 15, include ₹2,563 crore for the GSAT-7C communication satellite capability for the Air Force and ₹1,543 crore for Varunastra heavyweight torpedoes for the Navy.
The satellite contract was awarded to NewSpace India Limited, Bengaluru, while Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad, will supply the torpedoes. The indigenously developed satellite is expected to provide secure and reliable communication for Air Force assets.
Varunastra, developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, is a ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo capable of engaging enemy submarines at long ranges.
The contracts are part of the Centre’s efforts to promote domestic defence manufacturing and strengthen self-reliance in critical military technologies under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.