India Signs ₹449 Crore Deal for 20 Indigenous GNSS Jammers for Indian Navy — Strengthening Maritime Security

Detailed Summary

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a ₹449 crore contract with Bengaluru-based Accord Software and Systems Private Limited (ASSPL) for the procurement of 20 Enhanced Capability Global Navigation Satellite System (ECGNSS) Jammers for the Indian Navy. The contract was signed on June 10, 2026, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi. The deal was executed under the 'Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured or IDDM)' category with a minimum 75% indigenous content requirement. The ECGNSS Jammers are designed to degrade the satellite signal acquisition and tracking performance of adversary GNSS receivers, and are capable of both signal spoofing and deceptive jamming, enabling Indian Navy ships to operate safely in multi-threat environments.

Historical Background

GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is a broad term encompassing satellite-based navigation systems such as the USA's GPS, Russia's GLONASS, Europe's Galileo, China's BeiDou, and India's own NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation / IRNSS). Modern warfare increasingly depends on satellite navigation for precision strikes, drone operations, and fleet movements. The ability to deny, degrade, or spoof enemy GNSS signals is a critical electronic warfare capability. India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan in defence aims to reduce import dependence by promoting indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured (IDDM) defence equipment.

Why Important for TNPSC

Defence indigenisation, GNSS systems, NavIC, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat are important topics for TNPSC Group 1 and Group 2 exams. Questions on India's navigation satellite system (NavIC/IRNSS), defence procurement categories, and Electronic Warfare capabilities are regularly asked. The ₹449 crore ECGNSS Jammer deal represents a significant milestone in India's maritime electronic warfare capability.

Scientific Relevance

GNSS Jammers work by transmitting radio frequency signals that interfere with the satellite signals received by navigation devices. Advanced jammers can also perform "spoofing" — sending false navigation signals to mislead enemy systems. The ECGNSS Jammer procurement covers: (1) degrading adversary GNSS receiver performance; (2) signal spoofing (sending false coordinates); (3) deceptive jamming (causing the adversary system to receive incorrect positional data). India's own NavIC (IRNSS) has 7 satellites covering the Indian subcontinent and surrounding area up to 1,500 km; its civilian signal (SPS) and military signal (RS) offer positioning accuracy better than 20 metres.

Key Highlights

• Contract value: ₹449 crore for 20 ECGNSS Jammers for the Indian Navy.
• Vendor: Accord Software and Systems Pvt. Ltd. (ASSPL), Bengaluru.
• Category: Buy (Indian-IDDM) — minimum 75% indigenous content.
• Capability: Degrades adversary GNSS signals; capable of spoofing and deceptive jamming.
• Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh signed the contract.
• Reinforces Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India in the defence sector.

Important Facts Table

Related Static GK

• GNSS systems worldwide: GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), BeiDou (China), NavIC/IRNSS (India), QZSS (Japan).
• NavIC was developed by ISRO under the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) project.
• India's defence procurement categories: Buy (Global), Buy (Indian), Buy (Indian-IDDM), Buy and Make (Indian), Make.
• Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is the highest decision-making body for defence procurement, chaired by the Defence Minister.
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence: India aims to have 70% of defence equipment manufactured domestically by 2027.

Memorization Points

• ₹449 crore deal for 20 ECGNSS Jammers for Indian Navy — signed June 10, 2026.
• Vendor: Accord Software and Systems Pvt. Ltd. (ASSPL), Bengaluru.
• Category: Buy (Indian-IDDM); minimum 75% indigenous content.
• NavIC = Navigation with Indian Constellation; 7 satellites; developed by ISRO.
• GNSS jammers can degrade, spoof, or deceive enemy navigation systems.

MCQs

1. What is India's own Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) called?

• A) GPS
• B) GLONASS
• C) NavIC / IRNSS
• D) Galileo

Answer: C — India's own satellite navigation system is called NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), also known as IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System). It has 7 operational satellites and was developed by ISRO.

2. The ₹449 crore ECGNSS Jammer deal was signed under which defence procurement category?

• A) Buy (Global)
• B) Buy (Indian-IDDM)
• C) Make I
• D) Buy and Make (Indian)

Answer: B — The contract was signed under the Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured or IDDM) category with a minimum 75% indigenous content requirement, in line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat policy.

3. Which Bengaluru-based company was awarded the contract for ECGNSS Jammers for the Indian Navy?

• A) Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
• B) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
• C) Accord Software and Systems Pvt. Ltd. (ASSPL)
• D) Data Patterns India Ltd.

Answer: C — Accord Software and Systems Private Limited (ASSPL), headquartered in Bengaluru, was awarded the ₹449 crore contract for 20 ECGNSS Jammers for the Indian Navy.