India’s Defence Acquisition Council is set to deliberate on a pivotal proposal aimed at enhancing the nation’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the council is expected to discuss the introduction of a solar-powered High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) system in the near future.
The proposed HAPS platform represents a significant advancement in unmanned aerial systems, designed to operate at altitudes around 20 kilometers in the stratosphere—well above the reach of commercial air traffic. These solar-powered systems can potentially remain airborne for extended periods, ranging from days to several weeks, providing continuous intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities without the need for frequent landings or refueling.
In contrast to traditional satellites, which necessitate costly rocket launches, HAPS platforms can be mobilized from standard airstrips, making them a more economical and flexible option for surveillance operations. Their ability to deliver real-time, high-resolution imagery and gather signals intelligence is particularly beneficial for monitoring critical land borders and extensive maritime territories.
For India, the significance of this technology is particularly pronounced for its northern borders and across the Indian Ocean Region, where continuous surveillance is vital for early warnings, maintaining situational awareness, and offering deterrence. Internationally, systems like Airbus’s Zephyr have successfully demonstrated the possibility of multi-month flights in the stratosphere, highlighting the viability of this concept.
India’s exploration of HAPS technology also dovetails with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aiming for self-reliance in defense capabilities. This could involve collaboration with organizations such as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and private sector partners to foster indigenous development.
If approved by the Defence Acquisition Council, the proposal will transition to a cost negotiation phase before being presented to the Cabinet Committee on Security for final endorsement. Analysts suggest that implementing such a system could effectively fill existing gaps in aerial surveillance capabilities for the Indian Air Force and Navy, providing a cost-efficient, long-endurance solution amid an increasingly complex security landscape.
A favorable decision on this initiative would signal India’s commitment to adopting advanced, self-sufficient technologies to maintain robust surveillance over crucial operational areas and bolster its overall ISR capabilities in response to evolving regional threats.
