Technology

India Opens Stratospheric HAPS Programme to Private Firms

2026-09-16 - ABikram Mondal

India pushes stratospheric platforms for long watch times

The Defence Acquisition Council cleared an airship-based high-altitude pseudo-satellite programme worth around Rs 15,000 crore earlier this year. A second fixed-wing HAPS package worth Rs 52,000 crore followed in July. Both aim at platforms that stay in the stratosphere between 18 km and 50 km for weeks or months at a stretch.

These systems sit above commercial air traffic and most weather. They carry electro-optical sensors, radar and communication payloads. The goal is continuous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance over borders without the expense of launching fresh satellites every time coverage is needed.

On 11 September the Indian Air Force issued a request for information through the government e-procurement portal. Domestic firms are invited to design and develop the platforms under the Make-I category. The government will fund up to 70 percent of prototype costs for selected partners.

DRDO already flew a payload-bearing prototype to about 17 km over Madhya Pradesh in May 2025. That trial came from the Agra-based Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment. The test showed the basic concept works at near-space altitudes.

Private companies have started positioning themselves. NewSpace Research and Technologies has run trials funded under the Innovation for Defence Excellence scheme. VEDA Aeronautics is working with UAE-based Mira Aerospace on a bid. Red Balloon Aerospace flew its Vista super-pressure balloon in May 2026 and aims for six-month endurance with up to 25 tonnes payload capacity.

What the numbers say about endurance and reach

Reports place typical HAPS flight altitude near 20 km. Line-of-sight communication reaches 200 km. When linked with satellites the effective reach extends to at least 400 km. These figures come from official statements on the IAF requirement.

Endurance targets run from weeks to months because solar power and batteries replace frequent refuelling. Conventional drones rarely exceed a few hours at much lower altitudes. Geostationary satellites last years but cannot be repositioned or recovered easily.

The Rs 15,000 crore figure covers prototype development and an initial fleet. Exact per-unit costs remain under negotiation. The programme sits inside larger acquisition packages that also included Rafale fighters and missiles.

Payload capacity depends on the final design. The DRDO prototype carried sensors for surveillance. Future versions are expected to add electronic intelligence and data-relay roles for other unmanned systems.

How HAPS stack up against the obvious alternatives

Parameter	Indian HAPS target	Conventional drone	Geostationary satellite
Altitude (km)	20	Under 10	36,000
Endurance	Weeks to months	Hours	Years
Programme cost	Rs 15,000 crore (initial fleet)	Millions per unit	Billions per satellite
Payload	Not confirmed in public reports	10-100 kg typical	Hundreds of kg
Line-of-sight coverage	200 km (400 km with satellite link)	Limited by altitude and endurance	Global but fixed position
Reusability	Designed for recovery and service	Yes, but short flight times	No

The table draws directly from DAC approvals, IAF statements and published trial results. Where a cell shows “not confirmed” the public record does not yet give a verified figure.

Private firms step into the gap

Until recently only DRDO had demonstrated a stratospheric airship in India. The new policy opens the door for industry to scale production. Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research and Technologies already has Navy interest for maritime versions.

Red Balloon Aerospace completed its first super-pressure balloon flight in May 2026. The company plans a full airship called Helix that will use solar power and batteries for extended loiter times at 20 km.

VEDA Aeronautics partnered with Mira Aerospace to offer a competitive bid. These firms bring manufacturing speed and design agility that government labs traditionally lack.

The shift follows the pattern seen in launch vehicles. ISRO developed the technology. Private companies now receive technology transfer and funding to build at volume.

Persistent surveillance at lower recurring cost

A single HAPS can remain over one area for weeks. That removes the need to launch a new satellite or keep a manned aircraft on station. The platforms can be recovered, serviced and relaunched.

Border monitoring and maritime patrol are the obvious first uses. The same platform can serve as a communications relay for ground forces or other drones when line-of-sight links are blocked.

Electronic intelligence collection is another stated role. The system can intercept signals from adversary systems while staying outside most air-defence envelopes.

Disaster response teams could use the persistent imagery for flood or earthquake mapping without waiting for satellite passes.

Technical hurdles remain real

Operating in the stratosphere means extreme cold, low pressure and high radiation. Solar arrays must deliver enough power for station-keeping and payload operation through long nights.

Steerability is required so the platform can reposition over areas of interest. Early DRDO trials showed basic control is possible. Full-scale versions will need more robust flight control software.

Ground infrastructure for launch, recovery and data handling must be built. The IAF requirement mentions integration with existing command networks.

Weather at the lower edge of the stratosphere can still affect operations. Designers are studying seasonal wind patterns over Indian territory.

What happens next for Indian industry

The IAF request for information closes in the coming weeks. Shortlisted firms will move into detailed design and prototype funding under the Make-I route.

Successful prototypes could lead to orders for operational squadrons within three to five years. The Rs 52,000 crore fixed-wing package adds another avenue for participation.

DRDO will continue to provide test facilities and initial technology. Industry will handle series production and integration with user systems.

The outcome will show whether Indian private aerospace can move from component supply to full system integration in a strategic domain. Early bids and the DRDO trial record suggest the capability exists.

The short version. India is funding private firms to build recoverable stratospheric platforms that deliver weeks-long surveillance at a fraction of satellite costs.

Sources

Reported from the sources above on 2026-09-16. Figures are as published at the time of writing. If something here has moved on, the linked source is the one to trust.

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