New Delhi: The Indian Army conducted an all-India exercise to test and verify its entire satellite-based communication network to ensure operational readiness in the event of future conflict.
The exercise named ‘Skylight’ was conducted from July 25 to 29.
Sources in the defense and security establishment said the exercise includes all kinds of satellite communications from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Ladakh, where India and China have been engaged in a military standoff for the past two years.
The sources also said that the exercise not only validated the protocol to completely switch to satellite-based communication in the event of conflict, but also brought to light major shortcomings in the system, especially those arising with China. with reference to the situation.
“The conflict situation calls for space-based communication because we are going by the assumption that the primary means of communication – terrestrial media – gets disrupted,” a source said on condition of anonymity.
Sources said that multiple satellite bands were used for communication and data transfer during the operation.
The assets tested also included static satellite communication systems, vehicle-laden transport systems and human portable systems for their voice and data capability.
“Satellite communication is back-up too. Tomorrow, due to any kind of disruption, it is important for our monitoring systems to work on the satellite band as well,” said a second source.
“Our northern borders are a primary area of concern. Given the terrain and landscape of the northern regions, it is essential for space based communication,” said the source.
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military-grade satellite for the military
The Army does not currently have a dedicated satellite, but it relies on several satellites launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation.
In March this year, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), the premier procurement panel headed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh gave Approval of requirement (1st phase of procurement) for indigenously designed, developed and manufactured GSAT 7B, which will be a state-of-the-art, multiband, military-grade satellite for the Army.
Sources said the GSAT 7B satellite, which is a long-pending demand of the Army, will be launched by 2025 and will provide unified communication not only within the force but also to the other two services – the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force (IAF). ,
The satellite will cost Rs 4,635 crore and will have two units. One will operate in space while the other on the ground.
When asked what would happen if the Chinese military were able to shoot down a dedicated satellite, one of the sources cited above said that there are backups in place and communication switches from one satellite to another.
DAC in November last year Has agreed to IAF’s proposal for GSAT-7C satellite. force currently uses GSAT-7A (also known as ‘Angry Birds’), which was launched in 2018. While it is a dedicated satellite for the Indian Air Force, the Army uses about 30 per cent of its capacity.
The satellite connects to various IAF platforms such as aircraft, helicopters, drones, aerial early warning and control systems and radars.
This was the second dedicated satellite for the Indian Army after GSAT-7, which was launched for the Navy in 2013. Known as Rukmini, GSAT-7 is the primary communication link for all naval operations and its replacement is being worked out. This is because the lifetime of GSAT-7 will end in the next few years.
Sources said that ISRO will launch some more military satellites in the coming months which will be focused on surveillance. India currently uses Cartosat and RISAT series of satellites for this purpose.
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