Senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and industry representatives during the signing of contracts for GSAT-7C communication satellite capability and Varunastra heavy-weight torpedoes, in New Delhi. | Photo Credit: PTI
The Ministry of Defence on Thursday (October 15, 2026) signed contracts worth approximately ₹4,106 crore for a dedicated communication satellite for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Varunastra heavy-weight torpedoes for the Indian Navy, in a push to strengthen indigenous defence capabilities.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the contracts cover the acquisition of GSAT-7C, valued at ₹2,563 crore, from New Space India Limited (NSIL), Bengaluru, and Varunastra heavy-weight torpedoes worth ₹1,543 crore from Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hyderabad.
The GSAT-7C satellite, indigenously designed, developed and manufactured, will enhance secure, resilient and seamless communication capabilities for IAF assets, strengthening the force’s operational effectiveness.
The dedicated satellite communication capability is expected to improve the Indian Air Force’s ability to maintain reliable communications in support of its operational requirements, it added.
Anti-submarine warfare torpedo
The second contract is for Varunastra, an indigenous ship-launched anti-submarine warfare torpedo developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL). Equipped with advanced manoeuvring capabilities, the heavyweight torpedo can engage enemy submarines at long ranges, enhancing the Indian Navy’s underwater warfare capabilities.
The contracts were signed in New Delhi in the presence of A. Anbarasu, Additional Secretary and Director-General (Acquisition), Department of Defence.
Both agreements are aimed at advancing domestic defence manufacturing and promoting self-reliance in critical technologies, in line with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
Published - October 15, 2026 10:00 pm IST