New Delhi: The Indian Air Force is set to receive a substantial upgrade in battlefield awareness with the Defence Ministry preparing to clear a ₹10,000 crore project for three I STAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance) aircraft. Scheduled for discussion in a high-level meeting in the fourth week of June, the initiative aims to enhance precise, real-time surveillance and enable stand-off precision strikes on critical enemy targets such as radar installations, mobile air-defence units, and command centres .
Under the proposed plan, the IAF will procure three airframes—likely sourced via international tenders from manufacturers like Boeing and Bombardier—and integrate them with indigenous sensor and electronic systems developed by DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS). These systems, already tested and validated, are expected to rapidly enhance the planes’ operational readiness. The resulting platform will be capable of multi-spectral, day-and-night intelligence collection and targeting for the IAF.
Once operational, the I STAR fleet will furnish the IAF with comprehensive situational awareness, offering a live common operating picture from high altitude and long standoff distances. This capability places India in an elite group of nations—including the US, UK, and Israel—that possess advanced airborne surveillance-strike platforms
Defense officials emphasize that I STAR will significantly advance India’s strategic deterrence and precision strike capabilities—critical during ongoing operations such as Operation Sindoor. By minimizing exposure to hostile airspace and enabling rapid, calibrated responses to emerging threats, the program is viewed as a pivotal step in strengthening national security preparedness.
