Image Credits: Wikipedia The Indian Navy is looking to develop its own satellite communication terminals for warships as it works to improve secure communications and network-centric warfare. The Navy has floated an Expression of Interest (EoI) under the Make-II procurement framework for ship-based C-band and Ku-band SATCOM terminals. The systems will allow warships to maintain secure voice, data and video links while operating thousands of kilometres from shore. The project will reduce the Navy’s dependence on imported communication equipment. It will start with three prototypes: a large C-band terminal, a large Ku-band terminal and a smaller Ku-band terminal. The Navy could later move to production of around 30 terminals. The Ministry of Defence’s Department of Defence Production has listed the project as the indigenous development of a Ship Based SATCOM Terminal under the Make-II scheme. It is also listed under India’s defence-indigenisation framework as a project for ship-based Rukmini SATCOM terminals for the Indian Navy. Terminals Will Connect Warships to GSAT-7R The new terminals are being designed to work with GSAT-7R, also known as CMS-03. The satellite was launched on Nov. 2, 2025, aboard ISRO’s LVM3-M5 mission. GSAT-7R is the Indian Navy’s latest dedicated communications satellite. It is designed to provide secure voice, data and video connectivity across the Indian Ocean Region. The satellite extends secure communication coverage to roughly 2,000 kilometres across the Indian Ocean Region and supports communications for ships, submarines , aircraft and Maritime Operations Centres. The new terminals will provide the shipboard connection to this satellite network. The Navy has used dedicated satellite communications for more than a decade. GSAT-7 Rukmini entered service in 2013 and gave the fleet a secure communications network. How the Network Works? Satellite communications allow ships and aircraft operating far apart to shar