In an attempt to enhance the Indian Air Force's (IAF) surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities, the Directorate of Operations (Remote) has initiated a plan to develop stratospheric airships.
According to a report in The Economic Times, several private firms are vying for the project, which will involve government funding of up to 70 per cent of the research and development costs.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) under the Ministry of Defence had cleared the project, estimated to cost around ₹15,000 crore, including development costs and the procurement of an unspecified number of systems.
The Airship-Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS) project is being undertaken under the Make-I procurement procedure, according to The Economic Times report.
The IAF is looking for a prototype airship capable of operating at altitudes of over 20 km to carry out optical surveillance, electronic intelligence gathering and long-range communications.
Besides this, the defence ministry has also initiated a plan to develop fixed-wing High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS) that can take off from the ground and carry out long-range missions.
The Economic Times quoted sources as saying that several Indian aerospace firms have been approached for the project. At least two development partners will be selected based on their technical capabilities and financial strength.
The AS-HAPS is designed to operate at altitudes above 20 km, between high-altitude drones and low-Earth-orbit satellites. It can relay data from ground networks to satellites and remain airborne for months, providing continuous intelligence.
It will carry radars and optical sensors for long-range surveillance. The government is also aiming to develop these sensors indigenously.
Although no private Indian company has yet demonstrated this technology, government funding is expected to spur competition. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the system in May 2025 by flying an airship to an altitude of about 17 km over Madhya Pradesh with an instrumented payload.
