AeroMorning November 6, 2025

On 2 November 2025, ISRO achieved a major milestone by launching the GSAT‑7R (also designated CMS‑03), the heaviest communication satellite India has ever placed into orbit, developed for the Indian Navy. i

Launch and technical details

The GSAT‑7R satellite, weighing approximately 4,410 kg, was launched aboard the LVM3‑M5 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. 
The satellite is a multi‑band communication spacecraft, equipped with advanced indigenous components, designed to provide voice, data and video links across ships, submarines, aircraft and shore‑based command centres of the Indian Navy.

Strategic significance

The deployment of GSAT‑7R represents a significant enhancement of India’s maritime communications architecture, especially across the Indian Ocean Region. With secure, high‑capacity links in multiple frequency bands (UHF, C, Ku, S), the Navy will be better positioned for network‑centric operations and real‑time coordination at sea.
Moreover, the success of this mission reinforces India’s growing capability in heavy‑lift rocketry and indigenous space systems — the LVM3 family of launch vehicles has now proven itself for large‑satellite missions. 

Operational outlook

GSAT‑7R is expected to replace the earlier GSAT‑7 satellite and provide dedicated communication coverage for the Indian Navy for the next 15 years or more. 

With this asset in orbit, naval assets deployed across the Indian Ocean can maintain greater connectivity, improving situational awareness, secure communications and responsiveness in maritime operations.

Conclusion

The successful launch of GSAT‑7R signals a leap forward for India’s defence space capabilities. For the Indian Navy, it means enhanced reach and resilience in maritime operations. For ISRO and India’s space ecosystem, it demonstrates matured heavy‑lift capability, faster orbit insertion and a deeper integration of space into national security architecture.