DAC Clears High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites for IAF

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procuring Air-Ships Based High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (AS-HAPS) systems for the Indian Air Force. The approval forms part of a capital acquisition package worth ₹3.60 lakh crore, which also includes Rafale fighter aircraft and missile systems. Estimated at around ₹15,000 crore, AS-HAPS will significantly upgrade India’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

The proposal will now move to cost negotiations before being placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security for final approval.

What is High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS)?

HAPS are solar-powered unmanned aerial platforms designed to operate in the stratosphere at altitudes of 18–20 km, nearly twice the cruising altitude of commercial aircraft. Unlike satellites orbiting at over 200 km above Earth, HAPS platforms can remain airborne for months using solar panels during the day and high-density batteries at night.

They offer satellite-like capabilities at lower cost and with greater flexibility. Equipped with optical and infrared sensors, they function as “towers in the sky” for persistent monitoring and telecommunications.

Strategic Need and Border Surveillance

The strategic push for HAPS gained urgency after the 2017 Doklam standoff with China, which highlighted gaps in continuous border surveillance. Conventional UAVs have limited endurance, while low-earth orbit satellites cannot hover over a fixed location.

HAPS bridges this gap by maintaining persistent watch over specific regions, enabling real-time monitoring of troop movements, terrain changes and electronic signals. The platforms will support ISR, Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), telecommunications and remote sensing for military operations.

Indigenous Development and Industry Role

India has been advancing indigenous HAPS capability through the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bengaluru. In February 2024, NAL successfully tested a scaled prototype at the Challakere Aeronautical Test Range in Karnataka. The laboratory aims to develop a full-scale 30-metre wingspan platform capable of operating at 23 km altitude by 2027.

Private players are also active. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has announced collaboration with start-ups, while NewSpace Research and Technologies has flown solar-powered UAVs under the iDEX initiative.

Important Facts for Exams

• HAPS operate in the stratosphere at 18–20 km altitude using solar power.
• They provide persistent ISR and ELINT capabilities at lower cost than satellites.
• Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) is granted by the Defence Acquisition Council.
• Challakere Aeronautical Test Range is located in Karnataka.

Dual-Use and Global Context

Beyond defence, HAPS platforms can support disaster management, extend 5G connectivity to remote regions, enable precision agriculture and assist environmental monitoring. With this move, India joins countries such as the United States, China, the United Kingdom and South Korea in investing in stratospheric surveillance technologies that bridge the gap between conventional drones and space-based satellites.