New Delhi, Oct 2026 : The Ministry of Defence on Thursday signed contracts worth ₹4,106 crore for acquiring a dedicated communication satellite capability for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Varunastra heavyweight torpedoes for the Indian Navy, strengthening India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.
The agreements are aligned with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, aimed at reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and promoting self-reliance in critical military technologies.
The contract for the GSAT-7C communication satellite, valued at ₹2,563 crore, was signed with New Space India Limited (NSIL), Bengaluru. The satellite has been indigenously designed, developed and manufactured to enhance secure, resilient and seamless communication for Indian Air Force assets.
According to the Defence Ministry, the satellite will strengthen the IAF’s operational effectiveness by improving communication capabilities and supporting reliable connectivity for its platforms and operations.
The second contract, worth ₹1,543 crore, was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hyderabad, for the procurement of Varunastra heavyweight torpedoes for the Indian Navy.
Varunastra is an indigenous ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory. Equipped with advanced manoeuvring capabilities, the weapon can engage enemy submarines at long ranges, significantly strengthening the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
The two agreements represent another step towards indigenising advanced military equipment and expanding the role of Indian defence companies in meeting the operational requirements of the armed forces.
Earlier this month, the Defence Ministry also signed a contract worth ₹661.50 crore with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited for procuring BrahMos fire-control systems and launchers for Indian Navy ships under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category.
The project mandates a minimum of 68 per cent indigenous content and is expected to encourage the participation of Indian industries, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), in the defence supply chain. It is also expected to generate employment over three years.
The ministry said the initiative would strengthen India’s maritime security architecture and defence preparedness while advancing efforts to develop sophisticated military technologies domestically.
The BrahMos missile system, deployed aboard several frontline Indian Navy warships, serves as the Navy’s primary surface-to-surface missile system for maritime strike operations. Capable of engaging land and sea targets at extended ranges with high precision and supersonic speed, it forms a key component of India’s naval combat capabilities.
Together, the satellite, torpedo and missile-related procurements underline the government’s continuing emphasis on modernising the armed forces while expanding domestic production, strengthening industrial participation and building technological self-reliance in the defence sector.
