Session 2.6a Expo Product Brief: Building Secure, Resilient and Interoperable SATCOM Architectures for Modern Defence Operations
Tracks
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| Wednesday, November 18, 2026 |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
| Royal Theatre |
Sponsored by
Presentation Outline
As modern military operations become increasingly data-driven, defence forces require more than satellite bandwidth. They need secure, resilient and interoperable communications architectures that support mission assurance, coalition operations and the ability to maintain sovereign control over sensitive operational data.
This presentation will examine how next-generation low Earth orbit (LEO) networks can complement and enhance existing military satellite communications capabilities to provide greater operational flexibility for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and its allies. This session will explore how advanced LEO architectures can strengthen mission assurance through diversified orbital resilience, low-latency connectivity and ubiquitous coverage.
Particular focus will be placed on the role of secure network design, cyber protection, sovereign data control and resilience against disruption, while maintaining seamless integration with existing defence SATCOM investments. The presentation will explore how modern space architectures can enable defence organizations to retain control over where mission data is routed, processed and managed, supporting national security requirements while enhancing operational effectiveness. It will also address the importance of interoperability between commercial and military communications environments, including support for Mil-Ka and Commercial Ka services, compatibility with Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) infrastructure, and alignment with allied communications frameworks.
Speaker
Mr Raj Kumar
Head of Asia Pacific Sales and Business Development
Telesat Lightspeed
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Biography
Raj Kumar is Telesat’s Head of Asia Pacific Sales and Business Development, responsible for driving the regional growth strategy for Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) services across Asia Pacific, including commercial market development, strategic partnerships and industry engagement.
With more than two decades of leadership experience in telecommunications and wireless networking, Mr Kumar has held senior commercial and operational roles spanning Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.
Prior to joining Telesat, Mr Kumar served as Vice President, International at Aviat Networks, leading operations across the company’s subsidiaries in Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. Earlier, as Vice President, Asia Pacific, he developed and executed regional growth strategies and customer engagement initiatives across 10 countries.
Mr Kumar holds a Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communications from the National Institute of Technology, Warangal, India, and completed the Master's in Business Leadership program at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta.
With more than two decades of leadership experience in telecommunications and wireless networking, Mr Kumar has held senior commercial and operational roles spanning Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.
Prior to joining Telesat, Mr Kumar served as Vice President, International at Aviat Networks, leading operations across the company’s subsidiaries in Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. Earlier, as Vice President, Asia Pacific, he developed and executed regional growth strategies and customer engagement initiatives across 10 countries.
Mr Kumar holds a Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communications from the National Institute of Technology, Warangal, India, and completed the Master's in Business Leadership program at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta.
