The Ministry of Defence on Thursday signed contracts worth approximately Rs 4,106 crore for the acquisition of the GSAT-7C communication satellite for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedoes for the Indian Navy, strengthening defence capabilities.
The contract for GSAT-7C, valued at Rs 2,563 crore, was signed with New Space India Limited, Bengaluru. The indigenously designed, developed and manufactured satellite will enhance secure, resilient and seamless communication among IAF assets, strengthening the force’s operational effectiveness, according to a press release by the Ministry of Defence.
The Rs 1,543 crore contract for Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedoes was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad. Developed indigenously by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Varunastra is a ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo equipped with advanced manoeuvring capabilities. It can engage enemy submarines at long ranges, enhancing the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
The contracts were signed in New Delhi in the presence of Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition), Department of Defence, A. Anbarasu.
The agreements mark a step towards strengthening domestic defence manufacturing and self-reliance in critical technologies, in line with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
-PIB Inputs
