India has cleared a critical military acquisition poised to transform its battlefield intelligence and strike capabilities. On July 3, 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the procurement of three Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft at a projected cost of ₹10,000 crore ($1.2 billion).
This acquisition is part of a sweeping ₹1.05 lakh crore ($12.6 billion) modernization push that seeks to equip the Indian Armed Forces with next-generation warfighting capabilities amid growing regional threats from China and Pakistan. For the Indian Air Force (IAF), the induction of ISTAR aircraft is not merely a technological upgrade—it is a doctrinal shift that emphasizes real-time intelligence, precision strike coordination, and joint force integration.
Unlike traditional reconnaissance aircraft that simply gather data, ISTAR platforms are airborne nerve centers. They collect, process, analyze, and distribute intelligence in real-time, giving battlefield commanders a comprehensive and actionable understanding of the battlespace. These aircraft use a suite of advanced sensors—Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Ground Moving Target Indicators (GMTI), Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) systems, and signals intelligence (SIGINT)—to monitor vast areas from tens of thousands of feet above, regardless of weather or light conditions.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) further enhance the ISTAR mission, automating image recognition, target tracking, and anomaly detection. These capabilities are indispensable in a world where milliseconds can determine victory or defeat.
With India facing complex threats along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, and persistent volatility on its western borders with Pakistan, ISTAR aircraft will fill a glaring gap in the IAF’s ability to track enemy movements, cue precision weapons, and orchestrate joint operations without entering enemy airspace.
India’s pursuit of ISTAR capabilities stretches back over a decade. In 2013, the country explored a deal with Raytheon to acquire ISTAR systems mounted on Gulfstream aircraft. However, the effort was stymied by bureaucratic inertia, inter-agency disputes, and cost escalation. A follow-up proposal in 2017, to acquire two aircraft via the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program for $1 billion, also faltered amid technical concerns and financial constraints.
The renewed program now reflects a strategic maturity and urgency absent from earlier attempts. By combining global aviation platforms—possibly from Boeing, Bombardier, or Airbus—with indigenously developed sensor payloads by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the IAF is crafting a hybrid model that leverages global reliability and domestic innovation.
The involvement of DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), which has already validated several key components through ground and flight tests, ensures that the technology is not only mature but tailored to Indian needs. A scale model of the ISTAR aircraft, based on a retrofitted Airbus A319, was showcased at Aero India 2023—signaling India’s readiness to enter the elite league of airborne surveillance powers.
The Indian ISTAR aircraft will not just be eyes in the sky—they will be command-and-control platforms with battlefield cognition capabilities rivaled only by those of the United States, United Kingdom, and Israel.
Flight Envelope and Endurance
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Operating ceiling: ≥40,000 feet
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Endurance: Minimum 8 hours
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Long-range coverage over mountainous, jungle, or desert terrain
Sensor Suite
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SAR: ≥200 km range, high-resolution ground imaging through clouds or darkness
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GMTI: ≥150 km range, capable of tracking fast and slow-moving ground targets
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EO/IR sensors: High-fidelity day/night imaging, ideal for dense or urban environments
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AI/ML modules: Automatic target recognition, change detection, fusion analytics
Communications Architecture
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High-data-rate Line-of-Sight (LOS) and SATCOM links
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Compatibility with IAF’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS)
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Real-time connectivity with drones, satellites, fighter aircraft, and ground forces
Ground Exploitation Segment
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Two fixed and four mobile ground stations for analysis and dissemination
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Secure command-and-control interfaces for joint force coordination
Airframe Platforms
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Based on long-range business jets or narrow-body airliners such as:
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Bombardier Global Express
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Gulfstream G550
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Airbus A319 (modified)
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Chosen for endurance, serviceability, and modular payload configuration
The induction of ISTAR aircraft will mark a paradigm shift in how the Indian Air Force executes intelligence-led warfare. Rather than relying on satellites or UAVs for piecemeal surveillance, ISTAR platforms will deliver a comprehensive, layered battlefield picture in real-time—particularly during high-stakes situations.
Such capabilities would have significantly boosted the effectiveness of past operations like the 2019 Balakot airstrikes or the counter-mobilization during the 2020 standoff in Ladakh. In both instances, the Indian military was hamstrung by delays in intelligence fusion and precision targeting—gaps that ISTAR platforms are specifically designed to close.
Furthermore, by integrating with the IACCS and extending their ISR footprint across maritime and border theaters, these aircraft will also support operations beyond India’s borders—serving as deterrents during skirmishes and critical assets during full-scale conflict.
A standout feature of this program is its alignment with India’s “Make in India” initiative. Unlike earlier dependency-heavy procurements, this project is structured to boost local defense R&D. DRDO’s indigenous sensors and software reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, while the potential to retrofit pre-owned aircraft from global markets cuts acquisition costs.
The model also opens avenues for India to emerge as a defense exporter. Once validated, indigenous ISTAR systems could be offered to friendly nations such as Vietnam, the Philippines, or even African partners—a move that would expand India’s influence in global defense markets.
Despite the momentum, the ISTAR project is not without risks. Several operational and administrative hurdles remain:
- Platform Vulnerability
ISTAR aircraft, flying in contested airspace, are high-value targets. Future enemy doctrines, particularly those from China or Pakistan, could prioritize these platforms. Countermeasures—ranging from electronic jamming to air-to-air interception—will need to be planned for, with the possible integration of stealth technologies and active decoys.
- Integration Complexities
Marrying globally sourced airframes with indigenous sensor suites is a monumental task. It involves extensive testing for electromagnetic interference, heat dissipation, and software integration—challenges that could delay timelines if not tightly managed.
- Cybersecurity
Real-time intelligence transmission increases exposure to cyber threats. Encryption, air-gapped servers, and AI-driven threat detection will be necessary to shield sensitive military data.
- Skilled Human Capital
Operating ISTAR systems demands a new cadre of air force professionals—mission planners, signal analysts, cryptographers, and electronic warfare experts. Investments in training and simulation infrastructure will be critical.
- Timely Procurement
Historically, delays in tendering and contract negotiations have plagued India’s defense modernization. With a projected delivery period of five years from signing, any slippage could push operational readiness to the 2030 horizon.
India’s entry into the ISTAR club sends a strong signal to both allies and adversaries. It suggests a doctrinal shift from reactive to predictive warfare—where threats are identified and neutralized long before they materialize.
For neighbors like Pakistan, it complicates strategic calculations by making covert movements or militant support near the border far more detectable. For China, it raises the cost of attempting tactical salami-slicing maneuvers in regions like Arunachal Pradesh or Eastern Ladakh.
In the Indo-Pacific context, the ISTAR fleet also boosts India’s ability to participate in multilateral exercises and coalitions. Alongside assets like the P-8I Poseidon maritime aircraft and MQ-9B drones, ISTAR platforms could be pivotal in joint missions involving the Quad or ASEAN partners.
