New Delhi: India AS-HAPS program is a major defence initiative designed to close the surveillance gap between drones and satellites. The program will use solar-powered stratospheric airships that can stay in the sky for months, giving the Indian Armed Forces continuous intelligence, surveillance, and communication support.
The project is being led by the Ministry of Defence and supported by DRDO. It aims to improve border security, maritime monitoring, and real-time intelligence while encouraging greater participation from India’s private defence industry.
What Is the India AS-HAPS Program
AS-HAPS stands for Airship-Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite.These are large helium-filled airships that fly at an altitude of 20 to 25 kilometres. Powered by solar panels during the day and batteries at night, they can remain above a selected area for weeks or even months without landing.
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Unlike satellites, these platforms can be repositioned whenever required. They also provide higher-resolution observation because they fly much closer to Earth.
Why India Needs AS-HAPS Programme
India has identified an important surveillance gap. Drones cannot stay airborne for very long at extremely high altitudes. Satellites, although powerful, pass over an area only at fixed intervals and cannot provide continuous monitoring. AS-HAPS combines the strengths of both systems by offering persistent surveillance over sensitive regions.
Key Features of the Airships
The new airships are expected to:
- Operate between 20 and 25 km altitude
- Use solar energy during the day and batteries at night
- Stay airborne for several months
- Carry surveillance sensors and communication payloads
- Support intelligence gathering and secure military communications
- Be easier and cheaper to maintain than satellites in many situations
India AS-HAPS Program: DRDO Successfully Demonstrated the Technology
According to official information, DRDO successfully tested a stratospheric airship in May 2025. The airship reached about 17 km altitude while carrying an instrument payload. The successful test proved the platform’s design and validated its operational capability for future development.
Ministry of Defence Encourages Private Industry
The initiative has an estimated value of ₹15,000 crore. The Directorate of Air Operations (Remote) under the Indian Air Force is steering the project. It falls under the Make-I procurement category, allowing government funding of up to 70% of development costs.
Multiple private companies are expected to compete for prototype development, encouraging innovation and indigenous technology.
How AS-HAPS Will Strengthen India’s Security
The program is expected to improve surveillance along:
- Line of Actual Control (LAC)
- India-Pakistan border
- Indian Ocean Region
- Strategic military areas
The airships can continuously monitor troop movements, support maritime awareness, relay secure communications, and provide real-time intelligence for defence operations.
India AS-HAPS Program: Global Competition in High-Altitude Airships
Several countries are also developing High Altitude Pseudo Satellite systems. Europe’s EUROHAPS and projects by Thales Alenia Space are still under development. The United States has conducted high-altitude airship tests, while China is believed to be actively working on similar technologies. India’s approach focuses on indigenous development with strong participation from the domestic private sector.
What is the Importance of India AS-HAPS Program
The AS-HAPS program represents an important step in India’s efforts to build advanced surveillance capabilities. By combining the endurance of satellites with the flexibility of drones, these airships can significantly improve national security, border monitoring, and military communication while strengthening India’s self-reliance in defence technology.
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