IIT Delhi, DRDO develop India's first indigenous tactical aerostat| Watch

India has taken a step towards strengthening its indigenous defence technology capabilities with the development of a homegrown tactical aerostat designed to support surveillance, communications and logistics missions. Built through a collaboration between the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the system is expected to reduce the country's reliance on imported high-altitude platforms.

According to IIT Delhi, the low-cost aerostat is capable of carrying a range of payloads while operating at altitudes of up to 20 kilometres. The project has also involved a startup founded by Dr Neeraj Mandlekar, marking what researchers describe as the first aerostat of its kind to be developed within India.

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India's first-indigenous tactical aerostat

Speaking to ANI, IIT Delhi professor Bhupen Singh Bhatola said the project was conceived with the objective of replacing imported systems with an indigenous alternative. He described the aerostat as a large balloon filled with lighter-than-air gas, enabling it to remain suspended at significant heights for extended periods.

Although its appearance resembles a conventional white balloon, the platform is designed to accommodate operational equipment. Depending on mission requirements, it can carry surveillance cameras, infrared detectors and communication payloads, allowing it to perform multiple roles from a single airborne platform.

Bhatola explained that operating at greater altitudes significantly expands the area that can be monitored or served by the system. This makes the aerostat suitable for applications where wide-area observation or communication coverage is required.

Tactical aerostat vs drones

The researchers say the aerostat offers several operational advantages over conventional drones. Unlike unmanned aerial vehicles, which are limited by battery life and payload capacity, the lighter-than-air platform is capable of remaining airborne for much longer durations while carrying heavier equipment.

According to Bhatola, these characteristics also enable the aerostat to support logistics operations in addition to surveillance and communication tasks, making it a more versatile platform for tactical deployments.

Until now, India has largely depended on imported aerostat systems, particularly those sourced from the United States. The indigenous development is expected to strengthen domestic capability in a technology area that has traditionally relied on foreign suppliers.

Beyond military use, the researchers believe the platform could eventually find civilian applications as well. Bhatola told ANI that the aerostat's ability to remain aloft for extended periods while supporting different payloads could make it useful across a wider range of sectors in the future.

The project reflects India's broader push to expand domestic research, manufacturing and innovation in strategic technologies while reducing dependence on overseas defence equipment.