In a significant step towards bolstering the Indian Air Force’s strike and surveillance prowess, the Ministry of Defence is preparing to consider a ₹10,000 crore proposal for procuring three state-of-the-art Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (I-STAR) aircraft.

These advanced platforms are designed to provide real-time air-to-ground intelligence, offering critical insights into enemy radar positions, air defence infrastructure, and other strategic assets. This will enable the IAF to execute precision strikes from a stand-off range with improved accuracy and reduced risk.

According to reports based on senior defence officials, the I-STAR procurement plan is expected to be tabled for approval in a high-level Ministry of Defence meeting slated for the last week of June.

The project, spearheaded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), involves the acquisition of three aircraft through a global tender, with contenders likely including aerospace giants such as Boeing and Bombardier. However, the onboard systems—responsible for the aircraft’s core surveillance and targeting functions—will be entirely developed indigenously by the DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), which has already completed successful trials of the technology.

Officials note that the mission systems are ready for integration and will be installed onto the imported aircraft, which will undergo modifications tailored to operational requirements. Once fielded, India will join a select group of nations—including the US, UK, and Israel—that possess such advanced ISTAR platforms.

The I-STAR aircraft will significantly enhance the country's ability to detect and track sophisticated threats, thanks to their multi-spectral surveillance and data-processing capabilities. Besides aiding in high-precision targeting, the platforms will also serve vital roles in intelligence gathering, real-time surveillance, reconnaissance, and the creation of a comprehensive battlefield picture from high altitudes.

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