The Indian Navy will get its own satellite — the first-ever dedicated military satellite of the country — next year to boost its communication network and increase situational awareness in the Indian Ocean Region, Defence Minister A K Antony has said.

The satellite, which will be operated by the Navy to provide a secure communication network to its ships and submarines operating in the region, would enhance India’s capability to deal with threats of piracy and would be part of the coastal defence set-up.

“The launch of the Naval Communication satellite next year will significantly improve connectivity at sea,” Antony said at the inaugural address of the Navy Commanders’ Conference in the capital.

The satellite, which is currently under development by ISRO, would be put in a geo stationary orbit and would cover the entire Indian Ocean Region, which the Indian Navy considers its own security responsibility. Besides providing a secure communication link, the satellite would also set up network-centric capabilities for the Navy, enabling live transmission of images or data across different platforms in the region.

While the Navy will get its first dedicated satellite next year, the Air Force is also expected to have a similar communication satellite in orbit at the same time. The Army too is gearing up for its own satellite next year. At present, the three forces rely on multi-purpose remote sensing satellites of ISRO for imagery and surveillance in the neighbourhood.

Antony reassured the Navy that the government would continue to promote exercises with other friendly nations.