CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite designed to enhance India’s secure communication network. It will provide coverage over the Indian landmass and surrounding oceanic regions, strengthening both military and civilian communications. The satellite includes transponders for voice, data, and video links across C, extended C, and Ku bands.

ISRO said that the LVM3 rocket, which previously launched Chandrayaan-3 to the Moon, has been fully integrated and moved to the launch pad on October 26. The upcoming launch marks the rocket’s fifth operational flight and a major step in India’s advanced space communication program.

The GSAT-7R satellite will succeed GSAT-7 Rukmini, enhancing the Indian Navy’s operational reach. Meanwhile, ISRO is also preparing to launch the 6.5-tonne BlueBird-6 satellite by year-end, further boosting India’s space capabilities.

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Estimated to cost around ₹30,000 crore, the project will provide the Army with a highly mobile and responsive air defence shield. The system can search, track and fire at aerial targets while on the move, and can engage threats during short halts, giving troops enhanced flexibility. With a range of about 30 km, Anant Shastra will complement the Army’s existing defence assets such as the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) and the Akash missile system, offering protection against short to medium-range aerial attacks.

The Defence Acquisition Council cleared the proposal soon after Operation Sindoor, during which Indian forces successfully neutralised multiple Pakistani drones using a mix of L-70 and Zu-23 guns, as well as Akash and MRSAM systems. Extensive trials of Anant Shastra under day and night conditions have demonstrated its operational effectiveness.

Alongside this acquisition, the Army is also inducting new radars, jammers, laser-based anti-drone systems, and very short-range air defence weapons to counter advanced drones of Turkish and Chinese origin. Future indigenous additions to the Army’s arsenal include the Zorawar light tank and other advanced air defence platforms, reinforcing the push for greater self-reliance in defence production.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, Strategic Forces Command, and armed forces for the successful test. He described the missile as a next-generation system enhancing India’s strategic defence capabilities.

The Rail-based Mobile Launcher allows the missile to move on the rail network without preconditions, providing cross-country mobility, reduced visibility, and quick reaction launch options. This first-of-its-kind launch demonstrates India’s technological edge.

The successful test has placed India among select nations with the capability to develop canisterised missile launch systems on moving rail networks. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in defence.

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The MiG-21, inducted in 1963, played a key role in strengthening India’s air defense capabilities. IAF to retire MiG-21 on September 26, marking the closure of a chapter that witnessed its involvement in major conflicts, including the 1965 and 1971 wars. Known for its speed and agility, the jet became an iconic part of India’s military history.

Over the decades, the MiG-21 served as the backbone of the IAF fleet. However, with advancing technology and modern aircraft entering service, the need to phase it out became urgent. The retirement ceremony will also pay tribute to the pilots who flew the jet and the engineers who kept it operational for so long.

The IAF has already inducted advanced fighter jets like the Rafale and the indigenous Tejas to replace the MiG-21’s role. With this retirement, the force looks ahead to a modernized fleet while saluting the legacy of an aircraft that shaped Indian air power for generations.

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