Satellite in the backpack: Indian armed forces look to partner with satcom firms
The move will also open up new business vistas for satcom providers, which are yet to commence operations in the country. The department of telecommunications (DoT) is expected to conduct spectrum allocation sometime soon.
Multiple trials have been conducted by the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy with private satcom providers such as OneWeb and Jio-SES over the past two years, the people cited above said.
Trials with OneWeb, which is backed by Airtel's parent firm Bharti Enterprises, have offered low-latency, satellite-based network connectivity with military-grade encryption on multiple occasions. Jio-SES, the second Indian satcom service provider with a licence from the DoT, has also held more than two defence-sector trials, two of the people cited above said.
The trials were conducted during the India-Vietnam joint military exercise in November last year, and Operation Brahma in Myanmar in April, among other occasions. The idea behind the trials is to see how old satellite communications standards can be overhauled for the armed forces, these people added.
The Centre's move would see the gradual replacement of older, large very small aperture terminal (VSAT) receivers, which connect with Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro's) geosynchronous earth orbit (Geo) satellites. Such receivers are typically bulky and need specialized transport, and their connectivity is also slow.
OneWeb and Jio-SES offer portable satcom terminals that are small enough to come in a backpack. They also deliver faster network connectivity that is critical for remote drones and other tech-heavy defence equipment in distant areas, by using low-earth orbit (Leo) satellites.
India is also exploring other global players. One of the people mentioned above – a senior government official speaking on condition of not being named – said initial talks have been held with Elon Musk-owned Starlink on how it can offer a massive satellite network for the defence forces while maintaining the necessary security protocols and silos that the technology will require.
Notably, Starlink has not installed its gateways and equipment in the country so far, and is yet to conduct network trials and acquire security clearance from New Delhi.
Emails sent to the DoT, ministry of defence, Airtel, Jio and Starlink did not receive responses until press time.
New business opportunity
'Defence, maritime and border security will be key focus segments for enterprise satellite communication providers in India," said Shivaji Chatterjee, chief executive and managing director of Hughes Communications India, which is a partner to Bharti's OneWeb that offers both Geo and Leo satellite services.
'Multiple trials have already taken place to evaluate the potential of some of our latest offerings, such as OneWeb, in these strategic sectors," Chatterjee added. 'Other upcoming Leo offerings are also considered promising for rural broadband because of their extensive capacity enabled by large satellite constellations."
Anil Kumar Bhatt, director general of space industry body, Indian Space Association (ISpA), said satcom services for Indian defence forces have so far been used as a backup to terrestrial and radio communications, even in remote terrain.
'Now, new-age infrastructure and modernization mean that India's defence forces need low-latency Leo satellite networks to make the most of cutting-edge technologies—and also to support operations far beyond Indian borders," Bhatt said.
A second senior official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said the government sees these satcom services as a way to enhance connectivity in the country. 'Even as there are use cases for the government and defence-related activities, these companies will be allowed to serve those sectors only after ensuring that national security norms are not compromised," this official said.
One of the officials cited above added that a use case that has been explored includes 'providing small, durable and lightweight user terminals that can be carried by army personnel or installed on crewed and uncrewed vehicles—thus helping support communication, command, surveillance, and intelligence needs in fixed locations and on the move".
In September 2023, a report by The Times of India said that India's defence forces had pilot-tested the use of suitcase-borne satcom terminals as part of modernized defence-grade satcom networks.
Chaitanya Giri, space fellow at global think-tank Observer Research Foundation, said that Starlink is 'unlikely to get any imminent defence contract owing to the global geopolitics and the company catering to nations with which India might not be on the best of terms".
While agreeing that India needs to overhaul and modernise satcom in defence arms, Giri said, 'But to do so, geostationary satellites that offer huge bandwidth of data and can be indigenized and concentrated on a solitary area could offer far greater security and faster network connectivity for defence applications. Companies would be encouraged if defence contracts included indigenization contracts—which would be critical for both ground-station and satellite infrastructure involved in defence."
ISpA's Bhatt, a retired military secretary and lieutenant general of the Indian Army, further added that India will need to evaluate if the defence forces need their own Leo satellite constellation made indigenously, or acquire bandwidth from existing operators. 'Based on this, they would then take measures to make the satcom networks more secure," he said.
Globally, too, instances of satcom service revamp are increasing. This June, Eutelsat, the global holding firm of Bharti's OneWeb, signed a 10-year agreement with France's ministry of the armed forces. The deal, worth up to €1 billion, sought to integrate military and civilian satellite resources for Europe to have secure space communications.
Eutelsat also has a deal with the UK to provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity for the country's embassies, high commissions and consulates—as well as broader UK government activities globally.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
15 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Two senior Chinese ministers attend India's Independence Day reception in Beijing
Ahead of Prime Minister Modi's likely visit to China for the SCO summit, senior Chinese ministers attended India's Independence Day reception in Beijing, marking the first such event since the pandemic and Ladakh standoff. Sun Haiyan expressed China's willingness to enhance mutual trust and cooperation with India for stable relations. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Two senior Chinese ministers attended India's Independence Day reception in Beijing on gesture by the Chinese government comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's likely visit to China for the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation later this Minister of Foreign Affairs Miao Deyu and Vice Minister Sun Haiyan of the International Department of the ruling Communist Party of China were the chief guests at a well-attended reception, held for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic and over the year-long eastern Ladakh congratulated India and said that the relations between the two countries are currently maintaining a momentum of improvement and development, the International Department of the Communist Party said in a press is willing to work with India to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance political mutual trust, expand exchanges and cooperation, and promote the healthy and stable development of relations, she Communist Party of China is willing to strengthen exchanges and dialogue with all political parties in India and play a positive role in improving and developing relations, she his address, Indian Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat highlighted the importance of India-China relations."Our two peoples have played a significant role in shaping human history, and we have a significant responsibility to promote peace and development," he said."There is a need for India and China to work together to realise the aspirations of 2.8 billion people. Amid global uncertainties, relations between India and China are a factor of stability and balance," he said it was important for the two countries to have a balance in relations - whether it is political, economic or security, based on shared principles of mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual he added, had witnessed "periods of great development and also of serious challenges".The presence of Vice Minister Sun at the reception assumed significance as earlier in the day, an international news agency reported that she had been detained for questioning by the presence at the reception, however, indicated the report was Rawat hoisted the tricolour as the Indian Embassy here celebrated the 79th Independence Day at a colourful ceremony attended by a large number of the diaspora Minister Modi is expected to attend the two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation starting on August 31 in Tianjin.
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
EV fast chargers have a surprising health downside
Hundreds of public fast chargers are popping up across the US to serve electric vehicle drivers seeking a cleaner alternative to gas-powered cars. But they come with a surprising risk: Charging stations create air pollution. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency While EVs contribute vastly less to air pollution than combustion-powered vehicles, fast-charging stations are what a recent study called an 'overlooked source of air pollution.' The US added 703 high-speed charging stations in the second quarter, bringing the total across the country to 11,400, according to Energy Department data. Charging firms are planning to install hundreds more before year-end, making it important to address health risks now before the infrastructure becomes entrenched. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Undo The problem 'can be solved,' said Yuan Yao, a co-author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles' Fielding School of Public Health. 'We want to make sure that EV adoption is clean.' The emissions are likely tied to the fans used in direct current fast chargers ' power cabinets. While they help keep equipment cool, the recent study indicates they likely have the unintended side effect of kicking up particles from tires, brakes and dust into the air. Live Events Researchers took air quality measurements at 50 direct current fast charging stations in Los Angeles County, California, the majority of which were Tesla Inc. Supercharger locations. The company didn't respond to a request for comment. The average concentration of fine particulate matter in the air at the charging sites was 15.2 micrograms per cubic meter, slightly higher than what researchers found at gas stations and significantly higher than in other urban locations such as parks. Nearly half of the charging sites had daily fine particulate matter emissions that exceeded the World Health Organization's air quality guidelines. (The study focused on non-exhaust emissions and therefore didn't measure many types of pollution related to gas-powered cars.) EV charging companies can include filtration in charging cabinets to mitigate pollution, the study's authors said. They can also avoid putting the chargers near places like schools and residential areas. Some companies say they've already taken measures to reduce the risks of particulate matter. 'On all of our current DC fast chargers, ChargePoint enforces a minimum height for the air intake and exhaust to limit the ingress of dust, debris and water,' said a spokesperson for ChargePoint Holdings Inc. , which operates the largest charging network in the US. The company plans to add air filters to its 'DC chargers to further reduce the risk of dust or water entering the system, or particulates being expelled.' Gas-powered cars are still a much more potent health risk, both because of their emissions and gas stations' environmental impact, said Joe Allen, an air quality expert and professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health who was not involved in the study. Research shows fueling stations are major sources of volatile organic compounds, a category of chemicals that includes the carcinogen benzene, while internal combustion vehicles produce smog-forming pollutants. Greenhouse gas emissions also adversely affect health due to their influence on climate change. 'I'd much rather be charging my EV than filling my gas-powered car at the gas station,' Allen said. 'As we expand EV charging — especially fast-charging stations — we should also pay attention to potential emissions from the charging equipment itself,' Yao said. --With assistance from Kyle Stock.
Economic Times
31 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Recession alarm? New York City job market collapses, only 956 hires in 6 months — worst in decades
New York City job market 2025: New York City's job market has experienced a significant slowdown in the first half of 2025, adding only 956 private-sector jobs. This marks the weakest growth in decades, excluding recessions, with major industries like finance and hospitality cutting positions. Rising business costs, tariffs, and the potential impact of AI are contributing factors to this economic shift. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New York City Posts Weakest Job Growth in Decades NYC Job Market Stalls After 2024 Recovery Peak Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads NYC Businesses, Restaurants, Bars Report Weak Sales NYC Job Seekers Face Long Waits, Fewer Opportunities Is AI Cutting Jobs? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs The United States' largest municipal economy has taken an unexpected turn as New York City employers added just 956 private-sector jobs in the first half of 2025, marking the weakest job growth outside of a recession in decades, as per a to the same period last year, when the city added 66,000 job, the slowdown is dramatic, as per a New York Times report. Major industries that typically power New York's economy, including finance, hospitality, and retail, have all cut positions this year, according to the report. The data is gathered from the city's Office of Management and Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, said that, 'The New York City economy has gone sideways so far this year,' adding, 'New York is a leading indicator, and the flattening of employment is now showing up nationally," as quoted by the New York READ: Biggest Apple leak yet? Code leak hints at massive lineup of devices in 7 categories The slowdown follows a period of strong post-pandemic recovery that peaked in 2024, with record employment and Wall Street bonuses, according to the report. Now, the city is seeing its slowest job growth since 2003, excluding periods of national recession and the pandemic, as reported by the New York Melodia, director of economic and fiscal policy at the New School's Center for New York City Affairs, said that, 'It is shocking because we aren't in a recession,' adding, 'At the same time, it's not shocking given the political environment and impact on the economy,' as quoted in the READ: Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok picks Obama over Trump, and the 2 reasons will spark outrage The city's unemployment rate now stands at 4.7%, above both the state and national averages, reported The New York Times. Unemployment is even higher for some segments of the city's population, like for young workers, as per the report. Business owners say they began to feel a shift around March, with fewer customers and rising costs tied to new tariffs, which resulted in hiring freezes and job cuts, according to New York Massoud, the executive chef and owner of Ilili, a Lebanese restaurant in Manhattan, said that, 'I'm not adding to my staff because my revenues are shrinking,' adding, 'I can't afford the payroll even if I wanted to,' as quoted in the report. Massoud said rising prices on goods, construction materials, and even coffee have squeezed his margins, leading him to cancel expansion plans, as per the New York Times hospitality sector has been particularly hard hit. A recent survey from the New York City Hospitality Alliance found that over half of restaurants and bars saw disappointing sales last quarter, and many don't expect improvement soon, according to the READ: Is it AI or Trump's policies? US sees brutal 140% layoff spike in July, worst surge since early COVID chaos Meanwhile, job seekers in New York City highlighted that they are more worried about long-term unemployment as their applications go unanswered, and some people who have been unemployed since last year said they had applied to hundreds of jobs, desperately trying to find anything that will provide an income, as reported by New York pointed out that the rise of artificial intelligence might have influenced the slowdown in finance jobs, saying, 'There is a general view in financial services and professional services, both obviously very large in New York City, that A.I. holds enormous promise for doing things with less people,' adding, 'That does affect hiring decisions,' as quoted in the READ: As the July jobs report paints a grim picture, 114 companies plan layoffs in August - is yours on the list? Hiring has slowed dramatically due to rising business costs, tariffs, and uncertainty in major industries like finance and hospitality, as per the New York Times technically NYC is not in a recession. But the job numbers suggest a significant slowdown that resembles one, as per the New York Times report.
