New Delhi, July 19: To enhance its capabilities, the Indian Navy has placed an order with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for a new military satellite, reported The Economic Times. The satellite named GSAT 7R will boost communications between its warships, aircraft and shore-based units. Mission Shakti: US Warns Nations Against Anti-Satellite Missile Test, Says 'Don't Make Mess in Space'.

According to the report, the satellite will be launched by the ISRO in 2020. The entire cost of the project will be Rs 1,589 crore. The satellite will replace GSAT 7, the first dedicated Indian military satellite, which was launched in 2013. According to the report, the order was placed on June 11. The GSAT 7R will be designed keeping in mind future naval vessels including submarines. China Reacts to India’s Anti-Satellite Missile Test, Says ‘Hope India Will Safeguard Peace in Outer Space’.

In December last year, the ISRO successfully launched communication satellite GSAT-7A onboard GSLV-F11 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota dedicated to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The satellite was named Indian Angry Bird. In April this year, ISRO also launched the strategic EMISAT. The satellite was aimed picking up electromagnetic signals used for communication interception and detection of enemy assets.

In March this year, India also successfully tested anti-satellite (A-SAT) missile by targeting a live satellite on a low earth orbit. India's anti-satellite weapon A-SAT destroyed the satellite, joining a group of three countries - the US, Russia and China - with such capability.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2019 07:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).