![](https://bharatshakti.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LT-BSI-Defence.gif")
The Indian Air Force will soon enhance its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities with plans to develop an unmanned heavy-lift airship capable of operating at higher altitudes for long-endurance monitoring missions.
The IAF has invited bids from domestic firms to design, develop and manufacture a ‘Medium Altitude Heavy Lift Airship’ in India, signalling a push to deploy persistent surveillance platforms along sensitive borders.
According to the requirements outlined, the proposed airship is expected to operate at altitudes up to 30,000 feet and carry payloads of up to 5,000 kg. The platform is being conceived as a long-endurance asset, capable of hosting radar and electronic warfare systems, with communication links extending beyond 250 km or via satellite connectivity.
Officials familiar with the plan said the airship is likely to be hydrogen-powered, leveraging its lighter-than-air properties and ease of availability. The IAF is also examining hybrid propulsion options, including combinations of hydrogen fuel with solar energy or fuel cells, to extend mission endurance.
The platform’s payload flexibility is expected to allow it to function not just as a surveillance node but also as a potential launch platform for drones and other systems, adding a new operational dimension. It is also required to support autonomous launch and recovery, including from unprepared surfaces, an advantage in forward areas.
The project will see multiple bidders shortlisted, with provisions for foreign collaboration.
However, the IAF has stipulated a minimum of 50 per cent indigenous content, in line with the government’s broader push for self-reliance in defence production.
If realised, the airship could emerge as a key force multiplier, enabling continuous monitoring of contested regions, early warning against incursions, and enhanced response to emerging threats such as drone swarms.
Team BharatShakti
