NEW DELHI, Oct. 20 -- The Indian Army's first dedicated communications satellite is expected to be launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) around mid-2028, reinforcing the force's communications backbone and its operational capabilities, top officials aware of the matter said on Monday.

The satellite, GSAT-7B, will provide the army with secure, round-the-clock connectivity across remote border areas and challenging terrain, supporting day-to-day military operations and effective battlefield command and control, the officials said.

The development is significant because the army, unlike the Indian Air Force and the navy, lacks a dedicated communications satellite and currently relies on the IAF's GSAT-7A to meet its com...