The air force has moved a proposal to acquire three airborne intelligence gathering aircraft under a project that will see the development of indigenous sensor technologies and systems.

ISTAR Aircraft

The new airborne intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) platform will be vital to map out battlefields and monitor enemy movements in real time, said people with knowledge of the matter.

They said the air force has sought approval for a ₹6,000 crore project under which three ISTAR aircraft will be acquired. While the sensors and monitoring equipment will be indigenous, the aircraft will be a commercial or executive jet acquired from abroad. The decision to go for an indigenous ISTAR comes after the air force cleared the acquisition of more indigenous ‘Netra‘ early warning and control aircraft to its fleet. As reported, six additional aircraft are planned to be acquired by the air force as part of a $1 billion plan to add force multipliers in the air force.

Three Bombardier Global 6000 private planes will be converted into advanced Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) systems, bolstering India’s aerial surveillance capabilities. These aircraft will be outfitted with cutting-edge sensor packages developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation to improve the Indian Air Force’s reconnaissance capabilities.

Range: 11,390 km

Cruise speed: 907 km/h

Engine types: Turbofan, Rolls-Royce BR700

Top speed: 950 km/h

Manufacturers: Bombardier Inc., Bombardier