Navy to get 20 GNSS jammers in ₹449 crore deal with Bengaluru firm
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday, 10 June signed a ₹449 crore contract with Accord Software and Systems Private Limited (ASSPL), Bengaluru, for the procurement of 20 Enhanced Capability Global Navigation Satellite System (ECGNSS) jammers for the Indian Navy. The systems will carry a minimum 75 per cent indigenous content, according to an official ministry statement.
What the ECGNSS Jammers Do
The ECGNSS jammers are designed to degrade the satellite signal acquisition and tracking performance of adversary GNSS receivers, and are capable of signal spoofing and deceptive jamming. Their induction is intended to enable safe naval operations in a multi-threat environment, the ministry stated. This marks a significant upgrade in electronic warfare capability for Indian warships operating in contested maritime zones.
Contract Category and Key Officials
The deal was signed under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category — the highest preference tier in India's defence procurement framework — in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The ministry said the contract 'reinforces the government's commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India while bolstering the maritime security architecture of the country.'
India's Defence Manufacturing Surge
The contract comes against a backdrop of a dramatic shift in India's defence industrial base. Over the last decade, defence production has recorded a 174 per cent leap to ₹1.54 lakh crore, while exports have grown 34 times to ₹23,622 crore. The private sector has contributed approximately ₹15,000 crore to total defence exports, reflecting a structural move toward collaborative manufacturing. ASSPL's win is consistent with this trend, with a private-sector Bengaluru firm displacing what would previously have been a public-sector or import-led procurement.
Broader Technology and Budget Context
Addressing the North Tech Symposium 2026 in Prayagraj last month, Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said India has entered 'a decisive phase in its defence journey, where technology, indigenous innovation and private sector participation are shaping a new global identity.' He noted that warfare is increasingly driven by advanced technologies, real-time data systems, and automated platforms. The Union Budget 2026-27 has earmarked ₹6,81,000 crore for defence — 9.5 per cent higher than the previous year — underlining the Centre's intent to sustain this momentum. Sectors including space, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies are now formally integrated into India's defence preparedness framework, the minister added.
What Comes Next
With the contract inked, ASSPL will now move into production and delivery phases. The Navy's induction of these jammers is expected to meaningfully strengthen its electronic warfare posture, particularly as maritime competition in the Indian Ocean Region intensifies. The deal also signals continued opportunity for private-sector defence firms capable of meeting the stringent indigenisation thresholds demanded by the Buy (IDDM) category.