The Indian Army is acquiring various advanced satellite communication (SATCOM) systems to assist its troops on missions.
Earlier this week, the service reportedly contracted Bharat Electronics to supply more than 160 mobile secure satellite terminals.
This is on top of the defense deals inked earlier, which include 150 man-portable Ku-band satellite terminals, 400 S-band hand-held terminals, and 300 S-band manpack terminals.
The army also ordered over 80 light vehicle-based Ku-band satellite communications terminals, according to a report by The Times of India.
The delivery timeline for the SATCOM systems was not disclosed.
‘Resilient Military Communication Support’
The Indian Army has SATCOM sets that assist troops on long-range patrols along the line of actual control (LAC) bordering China.
However, such systems have become obsolete over the years, with operators complaining about not being able to communicate effectively with their operating bases.
“Such forward deployed troops have to depend on terrestrial radio and satellite phones, which are not secure and have poor connectivity,” a defense ministry source told the outlet.
The SATCOM systems will reportedly “plug this void” because they “cannot be intercepted” by enemies.
The source also described the communication systems as a “significant force multiplier” that offers “resilient military communication support” to soldiers deployed in remote, far-flung areas.
Apart from those patrolling the LAC, the terminals will be used to assist soldiers who are performing surgical operations.