ISRO's military satellite - GSAT-7A for Army and Air Force launched

India’s geostationary communication satellite GSAT-7A onboard Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle GSLV-F11 launches from Sriharikota on December 19 at 4:10. Weighing 2250 kg, GSAT-7A has a mission life of eight years, and will provide communication capability in the Ku-band over the Indian region. Ku is a frequency band.

GSAT-7A is ISRO's 35th communications satellite built exclusively for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army.

The satellite will expand the communication capabilities of the IAF in different ways. First, GSAT-7A will allow cross-connectivity between different ground radar stations, airbases and Airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft like the Beriev A-50 Phalcon and DRDO AEW&CS.

The satellite will also boost the air force's network-dependent warfare capabilities, enhancing its abilities to operate globally.

It is also expected to give a big push to drone operations in the Indian military by helping the Navy reduce its reliance on ground-based control stations and switch to satellite-controlled unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), that offer better range and endurance, industry experts told Business Standard.

ISRO's 2.25-ton GSAT-7A is designed to work in the Ku-band frequency and houses an 'I-2K' bus, which functions as the satellite's communication hub or service module.