Key points
- India’s Air Force to receive ₹100 Billion I-STAR aircraft for enhanced surveillance and precision strikes
- Project will be reviewed by Indian Defence Ministry later this June
- DRDO to procure foreign airframes and develop all surveillance systems domestically
ISLAMABAD: India’s Air Force is set to receive a significant upgrade in surveillance and strike capabilities with the proposed ₹100 billion Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (I-STAR) aircraft project.
The proposal is expected to be reviewed for clearance at a high-level Defence Ministry meeting later this month, according to Weekly Voice.
Surveillance capabilities
The ambitious I-STAR project will bolster the Indian Air Force’s air-to-ground surveillance capabilities. The I-STAR system will allow for real-time tracking of enemy radar stations, air defence systems, and mobile assets, thereby enhancing precision strike capabilities.
During the recent military escalation between India and Pakistan, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down six Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets over a four-day conflict.
READ ALSO: India-Pakistan Conflict: Details of Indian Fighter Jets and Pilots Shot Down by Pakistan Air Force
Led by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the project plans to procure three advanced aircraft via international tenders. Major manufacturers, including Boeing and Bombardier, are among those under consideration. While the airframes for these aircraft will be sourced internationally, all onboard surveillance and intelligence systems will be developed domestically by the DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), according to Weekly Voice.
