Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) and Viasat have announced their support for the next phase of the Indian Navy’s satellite communications upgrade program.
The upgrade program, which is scheduled to begin later this month, marks a significant step in strengthening secure, resilient, and high-capacity communications for India’s naval forces as part of the country’s broader defense modernization efforts.
Strengthening Naval SATCOM Capabilities
Under an agreement signed between BSNL and the Indian Defense Forces, Viasat’s high-capacity Ka-band satellite communication systems will be deployed alongside its existing L-band infrastructure. This combined approach is designed to deliver enhanced connectivity, higher data throughput, and improved operational resilience for Indian naval platforms operating across diverse maritime environments.
Viasat’s international government team will support the program through the company’s Communication Services segment, ensuring the deployment meets the stringent requirements of mission-critical military operations. The upgrade is expected to enhance secure communications for command, control, surveillance, and operational coordination at sea.
Transition to a Multi-Band, Multi-Constellation Strategy
The program enables the Indian Navy to move toward a multi-band, multi-constellation satellite communications strategy. By integrating BSNL’s Gateway Earth Station with Viasat’s global satellite network, the Navy will gain access to expanded coverage and more reliable connectivity across operational theaters.
The use of both L-band and Ka-band technologies offers a balance of resilience and performance. L-band is known for its robustness and reliability in challenging conditions, while Ka-band delivers high-throughput capabilities required for data-intensive applications. Together, they provide a flexible and future-ready SATCOM architecture for naval operations.
Longstanding Partnership With the Government of India
Viasat has been a longstanding technology partner to the Government of India, delivering strategic satellite communication services across multiple sectors. Its contributions include supporting disaster response networks, enabling tsunami early warning systems through the National Institute of Ocean Technology, and providing vessel tracking and monitoring solutions for the Directorate General of Shipping.
In addition to maritime applications, Viasat also supplies aeronautical connectivity solutions for both private and government aircraft in India. This broad portfolio underscores the company’s role in supporting critical national infrastructure and communication needs.
Leadership Perspectives
Robert Ravi, Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL, said the partnership reflects BSNL’s commitment to India’s strategic communication requirements. He noted that BSNL is proud to support the Indian Navy’s SATCOM modernization by delivering advanced, secure, and resilient connectivity solutions in collaboration with Viasat.
Gautam Sharma, Managing Director of Viasat India, highlighted that equipment has already arrived in India and installation activities are set to begin this month. He said the milestone represents an important step forward in the ongoing collaboration between Viasat, BSNL, and the Indian Defense Forces. Todd McDonell, President of International Government at Viasat, emphasized that the upgrade combines the resilience of L-band with the power of high-throughput Ka-band. He added that the program reinforces Viasat’s long-term commitment to India’s defense and maritime communication ecosystem.
