India set to boost air surveillance with ₹10,000 crore spy plane deal

June 9, 2025 Hot from the Oven Valli Sarvani

In a bold move under Operation Sindoor, the Indian government is preparing to acquire high-tech surveillance aircraft to strengthen its military edge.

The Defence Ministry plans to propose a ₹10,000 crore project for three advanced spy planes designed to enhance air-to-ground precision targeting.

This initiative, known as the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (I-STAR) project, will be presented at a high-level Defence Ministry meeting scheduled for the fourth week of June.

It marks a strategic step toward boosting India’s real-time battlefield awareness. These aircraft will provide the Indian Air Force with clear, high-resolution views of enemy ground targets such as radar stations, air defence systems, and mobile units.

This ability is crucial for conducting precise and timely strikes during conflict.

Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the I-STAR system includes fully indigenous onboard technology. DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems has already tested these components.

India will buy foreign aircraft, likely from Boeing or Bombardier, and fit them with Indian-made systems. These systems are already tested and ready.

Once in service, the project will place India among a few top nations like the US, UK, and Israel.

These countries have similar advanced surveillance planes for accurate, long-range intelligence and targeting missions.

The I-STAR system offers multi-spectral surveillance, capable of detecting and tracking irregular or mobile threats at any time, under any condition.

These aircraft will fly from stand-off ranges at high altitudes, allowing them to gather intelligence and identify targets from a safe distance. They are designed to operate day and night, offering persistent coverage and strategic flexibility.

The I-STAR project is a force multiplier. It limits undetected threats and enhances India’s defence posture with fast, actionable intelligence.

With this development, India moves closer to becoming self-reliant in next-generation warfare technology, combining global platforms with indigenous innovation.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on March 07, 2017