Indian Army conducts pan-India drill ‘Skylight’ to test operational readiness of its multi-band dedicated satellite
- The Indian Army conducted a pan-India satellite communication exercise named ‘Ex Skylight’, in the last week of July.
- The main objective of this exercise was to test the operational readiness and robustness of its hi-tech satellite communication systems, in the event of an attack by an adversary.
- The Indian Army is preparing to have its own multi-band dedicated satellite, with added security features by 2025.
- The dedicated GSAT-7B satellite of Army is a first of its kind indigenous multi-band satellite, designed with advanced security features. It will support tactical communication requirements for troops deployed on ground, remotely piloted aircraft, air defence weapons and other mission critical and fire support platforms.
- ISRO and various agencies responsible for space and ground segments also participated in the exercise.
- The IAF and Navy already have their own GSAT-7 series satellites.
Source: The Times of India