Indra completes TSUB-40Ka satellite communications terminal for submarines

Indra’s TSUB-40Ka submarine communications terminal

Spanish company Indra has moved forward with the development and certification of its new submarine satellite communications system by completing the TSUB-40Ka, a terminal intended to enhance the operational capabilities of these platforms. The company has finalised its development and testing programme, establishing a system that delivers broadband communications via Ka-band satellite technology while fitting within the space limitations inherent to submarines.

The TSUB-40Ka operates in the military Ka-band, which provides faster transmission rates and smaller antennas than the military X-band or the civilian Ku-band. This makes it easier to equip modern submarines with advanced connectivity, enabling data to be sent at speeds exceeding one megabit per second and broadening connection options for government and military missions.

Ka-band connectivity for naval operations

Using the Ka-band also brings significant operational benefits, pairing the resilience of MIL-STD/STANAG military standards with high-capacity performance. This combination represents a qualitative improvement in the handling of critical information in settings that require high availability and security, helping naval operations to operate more efficiently.

HISDESAT has certified the TSUB-40Ka for operation with the SpainSat NG system, which incorporates X, military Ka and UHF bands. This certification confirms that the terminal can operate through a sovereign satellite communications infrastructure. The validation provides a secure, high-capacity link designed to meet the strategic challenges of the coming decade and the increasing bandwidth requirements of submarine platforms.

TSUB-40Ka compatibility with SpainSat NG

Compatibility with SpainSat NG enables the terminal to take full advantage of the capabilities offered by this new generation of satellites. The infrastructure delivers communications that are more resistant to interference, cyberattacks and adverse conditions in the space environment, reinforcing operational continuity during critical missions.

Through this development, Indra is responding to the increasing demand for improved connectivity in challenging operational environments, where real-time information transfer has become essential. The TSUB-40Ka gives navies greater room for manoeuvre through more resilient, higher-capacity links suited to multi-domain scenarios requiring interoperability between units and systems.

Indra has an established position in the naval sector as a technology partner for international shipyards and a supplier of advanced systems. Its portfolio includes electronic warfare, radar, communications and sensors, alongside emerging technologies connected with the combat cloud and seabed protection. This experience reinforces its position as a key supplier of next-generation naval capabilities and systems designed to improve connectivity in maritime operations.

Illustrative images of a Spanish Navy S-80 submarine.

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