NEW DELHI : The Ministry of Defence has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (AS-HAPS) systems at an estimated cost of ₹15,000 crore. The clearance was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on February 12, 2026.
The approval forms part of a broader capital acquisition package valued at approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore, aimed at strengthening the operational preparedness of the armed forces. The package also includes procurement plans for 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), long-range maritime patrol aircraft, combat missiles, and other modernization initiatives across the services.
High-Altitude Platform System Capabilities
The AS-HAPS platform is designed to operate in the stratosphere at altitudes between 18 and 20 kilometers. Positioned above commercial air traffic and most weather systems, the solar-powered airship functions as a “pseudo-satellite,” bridging the operational gap between unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and space-based satellites.
Unlike conventional drones, which have endurance limitations, or low-earth orbit satellites with restricted revisit windows, HAPS platforms can remain stationed over a designated area for extended durations, potentially for months. Energy requirements are met through solar power during the day and high-density battery storage at night.
According to defence officials, the system will support persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations, electronic intelligence (ELINT) collection along sensitive borders, and secure telecommunications. The airborne platform can also serve as a relay node to provide communication coverage in remote or operationally contested areas.
Strategic Utility
The induction of HAPS platforms is expected to enhance surveillance coverage across India’s extensive land borders. While satellites offer strategic-level observation, their orbital paths prevent continuous monitoring of a fixed location. In contrast, HAPS can maintain a near-stationary presence over a targeted area, enabling uninterrupted real-time data and video transmission.
Officials indicate that the system provides a cost-efficient complement to satellite assets by reducing the need for repeated launches while delivering sustained observation capability.
Parallel Modernization Approvals
The AoN for HAPS was cleared alongside several major defence procurements. For the Indian Air Force, the council approved the acquisition of 114 fighter aircraft under the MRFA program and additional combat missile systems to strengthen stand-off strike capability.
For the Indian Navy, approvals include the procurement of P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft and indigenous marine gas turbine generators. The Indian Army received clearances for “Vibhav” anti-tank mines and upgrade programs for T-72 tanks and BMP-II infantry combat vehicles.
The Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) marks the initial stage of the defence acquisition process and enables the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP), followed by technical evaluation and commercial negotiations before final contract award.
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