The Problem Begins at the Ship
A warship may sail thousands of kilometres away from the Indian coast, but its command centre remains ashore. For a Navy stretched across the Indo-Pacific, satellite connectivity is not a luxury, it is lifeblood.
The satellite is only one part of the system. The Navy has historically relied on imported terminals, including systems sourced from Israel. Several were already 10-12 years old by 2022. India may have greater control over the satellite above the fleet, but dependence on foreign terminals still limits its autonomy.
Aatmanirbharta Beyond the Hull
The proposed terminals are being pursued under the Make-II framework, where Indian industry develops the equipment with government support. It requires at least 50% indigenous content while allowing startups, MSMEs and industry consortiums to participate.
Aatmanirbharta cannot stop at the warship itself. An indigenous warship is only as independent as the systems that connect it to the wider network.
Distance Changes the Equation
This becomes particularly important in the Indo-Pacific, where deployments are increasingly distant and dispersed. Overseas dependence can complicate upgrades, repairs, and integration with future platforms.
Indigenous SATCOM will not eliminate foreign dependence overnight. But it gives the Navy greater control over a critical part of its operations.
India has built the satellite. The next step is to build and own the link, completing the circle of maritime autonomy. Without indigenous SATCOM, the fleet sails under borrowed signals. With it, India commands its own horizon.
