New Delhi — India has launched a ₹15,000 crore programme to develop indigenous stratospheric airships aimed at strengthening the country's border surveillance and intelligence capabilities. The project, officially known as the Airship-Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS) programme, is being led by the Directorate of Operations (Remote) of the Indian Air Force.
The initiative focuses on developing unmanned, lighter-than-air platforms capable of operating in the stratosphere at altitudes between 20 and 30 kilometres (over 65,000 feet). Flying well above commercial air traffic and weather systems, these airships are designed to remain airborne for days or even months, providing continuous surveillance over designated areas.
Equipped with Advanced Surveillance Systems
The AS-HAPS platforms will carry a range of advanced military payloads, including Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) systems. They will also be fitted with electro-optical and thermal imaging sensors.
These systems will enable persistent monitoring of strategic border regions, enemy airbases, and military movements from distances of up to 550 kilometres. Unlike conventional reconnaissance aircraft, which require frequent sorties, the airships are intended to maintain continuous coverage for extended periods.
In addition to surveillance, the platforms are also expected to support long-range communications and intelligence-gathering missions through domestically developed sensor technologies.
Approved Under Make-I Procurement Framework
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the AS-HAPS programme in February 2026. The project is being implemented under the Ministry of Defence's Make-I procurement category, under which the government can fund up to 70 percent of research, development, and prototype costs for selected private industry partners.
The Ministry of Defence has invited several Indian aerospace companies to participate in the programme and plans to select at least two development partners based on their technical capabilities and financial strength.
The overall ₹15,000 crore allocation covers prototype development as well as the future procurement of multiple operational airship systems for the armed forces.
Bridging the Gap Between Drones and Satellites
Stratospheric airships are designed to operate between conventional high-altitude drones and satellites. While most high-altitude drones typically fly at around 12 kilometres, low-Earth orbit satellites operate between 500 and 2,000 kilometres above the Earth.
Unlike satellites, which follow fixed orbital paths and revisit specific locations only after certain intervals, stratospheric airships can be repositioned and remain stationed over an area of interest for long durations. This allows them to deliver persistent, real-time surveillance and intelligence.
They also offer lower development, launch, and maintenance costs compared with traditional satellites while providing greater operational flexibility.
Built on DRDO's Earlier Demonstration
The AS-HAPS programme builds on technology already demonstrated by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
In May 2025, DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight trial of its Stratospheric Airship Platform at the Sheopur test facility in Madhya Pradesh. Developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) in Agra, the airship reached an altitude of around 17 kilometres during a 62-minute flight while carrying an instrumental payload.
During the trial, engineers collected data from onboard sensors, evaluated envelope pressure control systems, and tested emergency deflation procedures before safely recovering the platform. The demonstration provided the technical foundation for scaling the technology into operational military-grade systems under the AS-HAPS programme.
Strengthening Indigenous Surveillance Capability
The AS-HAPS programme forms part of India's broader effort to expand indigenous defence technologies and strengthen long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
By combining persistent high-altitude operations with advanced radar, intelligence, and imaging systems, the programme is expected to provide continuous situational awareness along sensitive borders while reducing reliance on conventional surveillance platforms and complementing existing satellite-based monitoring capabilities.
Source : outlookbusiness
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