- Highlights Role of Resilient Satellite Connectivity in India’s Space Strategy
- Space Sovereignty and Beyond Line-of-Sight Connectivity in Focus
- From Uncrewed Platforms to Space Sovereignty: Viasat Outlines Next-Gen SATCOM Vision in India
By Sangeeta Saxena
New Delhi. 24 February 2026. At DefSat 2026, one of India’s premier defence space dialogue platforms held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, the strategic importance of space-based communications took centre stage. Addressing the opening plenary session, Ben Palmer, President of Viasat Commercial, emphasised the critical role of assured spectrum access and resilient satellite communications (SATCOM) in safeguarding national security and sustaining economic stability. The annual forum convenes senior military leadership, policymakers, technology partners and industry stakeholders to deliberate on the evolving landscape of space-enabled security—an arena that is rapidly becoming central to both defence operations and national resilience.
Speaking during the DefSat 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, Ben stated, “We’re looking at ways to ensure governments have access to assured connectivity via alternate orbits and alternate radio frequency spectrum. We are innovating to deliver cyber and EW resilience, access to different spectrum and new ways to deliver these key enabling capabilities. Viasat and Inmarsat have come together to form a global partnership, and we are keen to continue to explore how we can work more with local teams, building on our strong partnership with BSNL, to build capabilities for the future in India that meet India’s national security and economic prosperity needs.”
Viasat is a global communications company specialising in satellite and wireless networking technologies that enable secure, high-capacity connectivity across government, defence, aviation, maritime and enterprise sectors. With the integration of Inmarsat into its portfolio, Viasat has significantly expanded its global satellite footprint, combining geostationary, highly elliptical and other orbital assets to deliver resilient, multi-band communications solutions worldwide.
“We have seen in Ukraine the prevalence of uncrewed platforms as a way to achieve decisive military effect without putting people in harm’s way. Our focus is on creating terminals small enough to fit on the most tactical uncrewed platforms, whether they operate on the ground, at sea or in the air. Being able to obtain Beyond Line-of-Sight communications with such a small platform requires special technology — in this case not much larger than a coffee cup. Our work on satellite Direct-to-Device (D2D) will increase the capability available to the smallest uncrewed platforms,” he added.
The company focuses on assured connectivity, cyber and electronic warfare resilience, and spectrum innovation, supporting mission-critical operations for militaries, governments and commercial operators. By investing in advanced satellite architecture, Direct-to-Device technologies and compact beyond line-of-sight terminals, Viasat plays a key role in strengthening space-enabled infrastructure that underpins both national security and global economic activity.
“Societies cannot function without reliable and valid access to space. Space-based capabilities are, of course, critical to national security. But they underpin much of the economic activities that drive growth and enable national prosperity. In turn, satellite communications underpin every other space mission, serving as the dual-use oxygen that breathes life into sensing, early warning, weather forecasting, navigation, scientific exploration and entertainment services upon which we all rely. Without assured, resilient, global SATCOM, we would all be in the dark,” Ben reiterated
In the space domain, Viasat has positioned itself as a key player in delivering resilient, high-capacity satellite communications infrastructure that supports both defence and commercial missions worldwide. With a diverse multi-orbit architecture — spanning geostationary and other advanced orbital assets — and the integration of Inmarsat’s global capabilities, Viasat provides secure, assured connectivity across land, sea, air and increasingly space-based platforms. Its focus extends beyond bandwidth to spectrum innovation, cyber resilience, electronic warfare protection and compact beyond line-of-sight terminals designed for tactical and uncrewed systems. By strengthening sovereign communications capabilities and enabling global mobility, sensing, navigation and mission-critical operations, Viasat contributes to the foundational space-based infrastructure that underpins modern security, economic activity and technological advancement.
“India lives in a dangerous neighbourhood in an increasingly fractious world. The vastness of the territory and the extremes of the geography combine with the energy of its people, the excellence of India’s scientists and the scale of the economic opportunity. The grand strategic approach which the Government of India is adopting to assure its space sovereignty is impressive. This isn’t just about ‘Make in India’ and assuring freedom of operation — it’s also about the responsible, pragmatic approach that India has adopted in international fora to resist attempts by others seeking market dominance to curtail freedom of choice. This is long-term, strategic and wise.”
Viasat has established a strong and growing presence in India, positioning the country as both a strategic market and a technology hub within its global operations. Through its long-standing partnership with BSNL and the legacy footprint of Inmarsat, now part of Viasat, the company supports maritime, aviation and defence communications across Indian airspace and territorial waters. Viasat employs hundreds of professionals in India, contributing to the development of advanced, software-enabled satellite communication capabilities. In the defence domain, its services include handheld sat-phone solutions and high-capacity Ka-band connectivity delivered via assured local infrastructure, strengthening sovereign communications and operational readiness. As India advances its space sovereignty and digital connectivity ambitions, Viasat continues to align its investments and partnerships with the country’s national security and economic growth priorities.
“Inmarsat — now part of Viasat — has a long history of partnering with Indian institutions and companies to deliver. We employ hundreds of people here, helping to build innovative software-enabled capabilities. We keep India’s ships and airliners, and those transiting its territorial waters and airspace, safe — enabling global trade to flow smoothly. In the defence domain, our provision of handheld sat-phone services and higher capacity Ka-band satellite services, in partnership with BSNL and via assured local infrastructure, provides the sovereign communications capability required to underpin operational-to-tactical mission superiority.”
Ben Palmer’s address at DefSat 2026 underscored a clear message: space-based connectivity is no longer a supporting function—it is foundational infrastructure. From enabling uncrewed systems with compact, beyond line-of-sight capabilities to ensuring cyber and electronic warfare resilience across alternate orbits and frequency bands, resilient SATCOM has become integral to operational superiority and economic continuity alike. Highlighting India’s strategic and sovereign approach to space, Palmer commended the country’s long-term vision in safeguarding freedom of operation while building domestic capability. As geopolitical uncertainties deepen and reliance on space infrastructure grows, DefSat 2026 reaffirmed that assured, resilient and globally accessible satellite communications are not merely technological enablers—they are strategic necessities for both security and prosperity.
