Indigenous Tactical Aerostat

IIT Delhi + DRDO + domestic startup developed India's first indigenous tactical aerostat.

What is an aerostat?

A balloon-based high-altitude platform capable of carrying surveillance and communication payloads.

Features

• Coverage up to 20 km
• EO cameras
• IR sensors
• Communication relay
• Persistent surveillance
• High endurance

Applications

• Border surveillance
• Defence
• Disaster response
• Emergency communications
• Civilian connectivity

Why important?

It demonstrates academia–DRDO–startup collaboration and supports defence indigenisation.

GS-III: Defence technology + Aatmanirbharta.