The Indian Army has finalized a deal to acquire more than 160 cutting-edge mobile secure satellite terminals (MSSTs) from Bharat Electronics (BEL). These hand-held and lightweight suitcase-based Satcom sets will enable secure satellite-based communications for troops stationed in remote and challenging terrains along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, as well as for Special Forces engaged in precision operations.

In recent months, the Indian Army has signed a series of agreements for the acquisition of various types of Satcom terminals. These include man-portable Ku-band satellite terminals, S-band hand-held terminals, S-band manpack terminals, and light vehicle-based Ku-band satellite communication terminals.

The newly acquired MSSTs, developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and BEL, are designed to be highly secure and resistant to interception. They will serve as a significant force multiplier for the Indian Army, providing resilient military communication support to troops deployed in remote and inaccessible areas. Additionally, these communication tools will enhance the communication capabilities of Para-Special Forces during rapid small-team surgical operations.

The existing Satcom sets in the Indian Army had become outdated, affecting the ability of troops on long-range patrols along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to effectively communicate with their bases and higher military authorities. Previous reliance on terrestrial radio and satellite phones often resulted in poor connectivity. The introduction of the new cutting-edge MSSTs will address these communication challenges.

The acquisition of advanced Satcom terminals is part of the Indian Army’s commitment to leveraging Indian SATCOM technologies and advancements in the space domain, particularly in challenging terrains. The armed forces are steadily enhancing their capabilities to operate in increasingly digitized battlefields of the future.

While the Indian armed forces rely on civilian satellites launched by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), they also possess dedicated military satellites. To further strengthen satellite-based communication capabilities, the defense ministry has approved the GSAT-7B satellite project for the Army and the GSAT-7C satellite project for the Indian Air Force. The GSAT-7B satellite is expected to be operational by 2025-26.