Times of India4/23/2026TechIndia
India's NaVIC Navigation System Down to Just 3 Satellites, Facing Critical Failure
Costly Rs 3,200 crore regional navigation system falls below minimum operational requirement as failed launches and equipment failures compound
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- India's regional navigation system NaVIC, costing over Rs 3,200 crore, has been reduced to only three functional satellites—IRNSS-1B, IRNSS-1L, and NVS-01—below the minimum four required for accurate positioning, navigation, and timing services.
- The system, designed for seven satellites, suffered a major setback when the last atomic clock on IRNSS-1F stopped functioning on March 10, 2026.
- Failed launches of IRNSS-1H in 2017 and NVS-02 in 2025, combined with equipment failures, have left India's indigenous navigation system in crisis, posing security concerns for armed forces.
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India's regional navigation system NaVIC, costing over Rs 3,200 crore, has been reduced to only three functional satellites—IRNSS-1B, IRNSS-1L, and NVS-01—below the minimum four required for accurate positioning, navigation, and timing services. The system, designed for seven satellites, suffered a major setback when the last atomic clock on IRNSS-1F stopped functioning on March 10, 2026. Failed launches of IRNSS-1H in 2017 and NVS-02 in 2025, combined with equipment failures, have left India's indigenous navigation system in crisis, posing security concerns for armed forces.
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This article was originally published by Times of India.
