Isro's commercial arm got order book of Rs 280 crore

Pakistan says not interested in Modi's gift of India-built satellite to SAARC countries

Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has got an order book of around Rs 280 crore. Besides, India is also talking to other countries for contract manufacturing of meteorological satellites.

Speaking to reporters after the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C35), which had eight satellites including co-passenger satellites from Algeria, Canada and USA, S Rakesh, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Antrix Corporation said the orders will be executed over the next two to three years.

Discussions are on with customers for an equal amount of business, he added. Till date, India has successfully launched 79 satellites for international customers.

Antrix's turnover was Rs 1,923 crore crore during the fiscal ended March 2016 and expects to close the current fiscal with a revenue of around Rs 2,000 crore.

Isro Chairman A S Kiran Kumar said, "Our meteorological satellites have excellent capabilities which others, barring US, do not have."

He added, India is in talks with others for making meteorological satellites under contract manufacturing activities, along with the Indian industries.

On the launch of SAARC satellite Kumar said it is getting ready, even as Pakistan has said it is not interested in the India-built SAARC satellite, discussions are on with Bangladesh and Afghanistan.