In news– Indian Army has recently conducted first of its kind Exercise Skylight to test resilience of its satellite communications.
About the exercise-
- The aim of the exercise was to test operational readiness of satellite communication assets and training of personnel manning these.
- This was a pan-India exercise covering the islands of Andaman and Lakshadweep to the high reaches of the northern borders where all satellite communication assets of the Indian Army were activated from July 25-29.
- Different agencies responsible for space and ground segments and ISRO took part in the exercise.
- The Indian Army uses the services of a number of ISRO satellites that connect hundreds of communication terminals of various types.
- These include static terminals, transportable vehicle mounted terminals, man-portable and small form factor man-pack terminals.
- While the Navy and Air Force have a satellite of their own, the Army is looking to have one by 2025.
- The Defence Acquisition Council gave the go ahead for the Indian Army’s Satellite GSAT-7B in March 2022.
- The satellite was designed as an indigenous multiband satellite with advanced security features. It will support tactical communication requirements for not only troops deployed on the ground, but also for remotely piloted aircraft, air defence weapons and other mission critical and fire support platforms.
Source: India Today
