The very first step towards a larger joint project that will see India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation develop sensor technologies for an additional four aircraft requires the Indian government’s paperwork clearing; which the government is looking forward to signing the approval on those papers in the coming months to acquire the U.S. ISTAR (Intelligence Surveillance Targeting and Reconnaissance) which is a battlefield and ground surveillance aircraft platform.
Earlier this month, a proposed model of the Indian ISTAR jet was displayed for the first time at the Aero India 2021. The proposed model suggests a confirmation that things are on track after a troubled journey thus far.
It is called the ‘cutting edge technologies for the nation in support of precision strike’ on the first official literature published on the Indian ISTAR. Further, the Laboratory literature on the Indian ISTAR program states, ‘ISTAR is a MULTI INT Solution is capable of exploiting image, SIGINT and track info from sensors and provide actionable intelligence for tactical and strategic advantage.’
The program increased the speed after the Balakot airstrikes by India on Pakistan. As of today, 26 February 2021 marks two years since the military operation that saw Indian Air Force jets with the assistance and supported by Indian airborne surveillance assets that helped strike terrorist targets deep in on Pakistani land.
Overall, The Indian Air Force is said to have expressed urgency in the program and has provided full backing to the indigenous ISTAR as a priority future asset.
