20km above ground, always watching: How India’s new airships will snoop across the border
The Indian Ministry of Defence has launched an indigenous project to develop stratospheric airships for persistent border surveillance. These high-altitude platforms will provide 24/7 intelligence, reconnaissance, and communication support, offering a more cost-effective and flexible alternative to traditional satellites.
Why it matters
This initiative represents a significant shift in India's military modernization strategy, enhancing real-time border monitoring capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign or satellite-based surveillance.
In an effort to keep a persistent surveillance across the border the Ministry of Defence has launched a project to develop an indigenous stratospheric airship program,. The programme was cleared by the defence minister chaired Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in February this year. These lighter than air platforms will be designed to stay airborne at altitudes which are as high as 20 km or almost 66,000 feet for extended periods of time providing around the clock intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) stream from across the border. The high altitude platform will also provide as well as extend communications.The airship will have equipment to snoop on the enemy electronically as well as an electro optronic equipment payload that can look deep inside hostile territory and track movement using a day camera, night vision devices as well as thermal imaging.
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