• In a five-day-long satellite communication exercise — Skylight, the Indian Army has tested all of its space-based assets to ensure their operational readiness.

• The Army is utilising the services of a number of satellites belonging to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

• The types of satellite communication terminals tested during the exercise included static terminals, transportable vehicle-mounted terminals, man-portable and small form factor man-pack terminals.

• Transportable Satellite Terminals (TST) are held by the Indian Army to provide secure and reliable voice, video and data connectivity to troops deployed in forward areas. TST, based on a high mobility vehicle, can traverse along all types of terrain. TST ensures seamless, beyond line of sight tactical communication affording flexibility to own mechanised operations. It can be deployed and made effective in a very short time frame.

• The Army has also completed a study on the communication, cyber and electromagnetic effects reported during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

• The Indian Army has learned from this war that a tactical communication system, which is operable in a hostile enemy area, with a suitable backhaul is extremely important.

• The study has also revealed the efficacy of reliable satellite communication like the one afforded by ‘Starlink’.

• Taking a cue from it, the Army is engaging with the industry and academia to develop small form factor handheld secure satellite phones.

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