Context:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch CMS-03 (GSAT-7R), a next-generation military communication satellite, in November 2025 using the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The satellite is designed to significantly enhance secure, real-time communication capabilities of India’s defence forces across land, air, and sea.
About GSAT-7R (CMS-03)
- Developed by: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- Type: Advanced military communication satellite
- Launch Vehicle: LVM-3 (used previously for Chandrayaan-3 mission in 2023)
- Weight: Approximately 4,400 kg, the heaviest Indian communication satellite to be launched to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian soil.
- Replaces: GSAT-7A, launched in 2018, which primarily served the Indian Air Force.
Mission Objective
To establish robust, encrypted, and long-range communication links for:
- The Indian Navy, Air Force, and Army
- Strategic command and control centres
- Network-centric warfare and maritime domain awareness operations
The satellite aims to ensure uninterrupted connectivity across vast oceanic regions and remote border terrains, enabling seamless coordination among India’s defence forces.
