NEW DELHI: Viasat emphasised the strategic need for assured spectrum access and resilient satellite communications to safeguard national security and economic stability during the opening plenary of DefSat 2026 held at the Manekshaw Centre. Addressing senior military leaders, policymakers and industry stakeholders, Ben Palmer, President of Viasat Commercial, called for multi-orbit, multi-band connectivity as a critical enabler of India’s long-term space sovereignty.

Palmer highlighted the importance of assured connectivity across alternate orbits and radio frequency bands to enhance cyber and electronic warfare resilience. He noted that the integration of Inmarsat with Viasat has created a global partnership that is keen to deepen collaboration in India, building on its ongoing work with BSNL to develop future-ready sovereign communications capabilities.

Pointing to evolving battlefield requirements, he underlined the growing role of uncrewed platforms and the need for compact beyond line-of-sight SATCOM solutions. Viasat is developing small, high-capability terminals and direct-to-device satellite connectivity to support tactical operations across land, sea and air, enabling decisive military effects without putting personnel at risk.

Stressing the broader economic dimension, Palmer said space-based infrastructure underpins critical services ranging from navigation and weather forecasting to trade and scientific exploration, with satellite communications acting as the foundational layer for all space missions. He praised India’s strategic and pragmatic approach to protecting its space interests, describing it as a long-term vision that balances self-reliance, global cooperation and freedom of market choice.

Highlighting its long-standing presence in the country, Viasat said it supports maritime and aviation safety, enables global trade flows and delivers sovereign defence communications through handheld sat-phone and high-capacity Ka-band services in partnership with BSNL and local infrastructure.

DefSat 2026 is one of India’s premier defence space dialogue platforms, bringing together key stakeholders to shape the future of space-enabled security.