India’s Defence Acquisition Council is poised to take up a landmark proposal aimed at significantly strengthening the country’s surveillance and reconnaissance architecture. The council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is expected to deliberate soon on the induction of a solar-powered High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) system.
The proposed HAPS platform represents a cutting-edge evolution of unmanned aerial systems, designed to operate in the stratosphere at altitudes of around 20 kilometres—well above commercial air traffic. Powered by solar energy, such systems can remain airborne for days or even weeks, delivering persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) without the need for frequent recovery or refuelling.
Unlike conventional satellites that require costly rocket launches, HAPS platforms can be deployed from standard airstrips, offering a far more economical and flexible alternative. Their ability to provide continuous, real-time, high-resolution imagery and signals intelligence makes them particularly valuable for monitoring sensitive land borders and vast maritime zones.
For India, the technology holds special relevance for surveillance along the northern frontiers and across the Indian Ocean Region, where persistent coverage is critical for early warning, situational awareness and deterrence. Globally, systems such as Airbus’s Zephyr have demonstrated the feasibility of multi-month stratospheric flights, underscoring the maturity of the concept.
India’s interest in HAPS also aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat push, with potential involvement of organisations such as Defence Research and Development Organisation, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and private industry partners to develop indigenous capabilities.
If cleared by the DAC, the proposal will move to the cost negotiation stage before being placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security for final approval. Observers note that such a system could help bridge existing gaps in aerial surveillance for the Indian Air Force and Navy, offering a cost-effective, long-endurance solution in an increasingly contested security environment.
A positive decision would signal India’s intent to embrace advanced, self-reliant technologies to maintain persistent watch over critical theatres and strengthen its overall ISR posture amid evolving regional challenges.
