Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for the Indian Navy's very low frequency (VLF) radar station at Damagudem forest area in Vikarabad district of Telangana.
" The VLF station which we are going to establish today, is a key effort of us to establish communication for our maritime forces...lack of secure and real-time communication is equal to a key a factor between victory and defeat so VLF station is very important" said Singh.
Speaking at the Foundation Stone laying ceremony of VLF Station in Vikarabad (Telangana). https://t.co/U8psPx7HLE
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 15, 2024
This is the second VLF communication transmission station in India, with INS Kattabomman Radar Station at Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu being the first. The VLF radar station helps boost submarine communication as VLF radio waves are capable of reaching diesel-electric and nuclear submarines submerged 20 to 30 meters.
VLF technology operates within the frequency range of 3–30 kHz, allowing for reliable long-distance communication that can penetrate various terrains and obstacles, making it highly valuable for military operations.
The foundation laying ceremony for the VLF communication transmission station comes weeks after the second Arihant-Class submarine ‘INS Arighaat’ was commissioned into the Navy.
“The strategically important VLF facility, once it becomes fully operational in two to three years, will provide round-the-clock encrypted communication connectivity to submerged submarines across India’s entire area of interest,” Times of India quoted a source as saying.
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Vikarabad was selected for setting up the facility because of its geographical advantages as the district lacks mountains and high altitude, allowing nearly 300 kilometers of unobstructed signal transmission. The location, situated at about 250 feet above sea level, was identified for the facility by Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.
The station is expected to be completed by 2027.
