The first satellite was launched from Plesetsk in Russia on 19 December 2006 , about a year after the intended launch date ; four more satellites were launched at roughly six - month intervals .
The entire system achieved full operational readiness on 22 July 2008 .
The first satellite was launched from Plesetsk in Russia on 19 December 2006 , about a year after the intended launch date ; four more satellites were launched at roughly six - month intervals , and the entire system achieved full operational readiness on 22 July 2008 .