Decision on Airframe for India’s ISTAR Surveillance Program Expected by Year-End, Gulfstream and Bombardier in Final Competition

India's military is set to gain a significant strategic advantage following a key government approval for the acquisition of advanced airborne surveillance aircraft.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, gave the green light on July 3, 2025, for the procurement of three specialised Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft.

The project, valued at approximately ₹10,000 crore ($1.2 billion), now moves to its next critical phase: selecting the aircraft platform.

Industry sources indicate that American manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace and Canadian firm Bombardier Aviation are the final two contenders, with a decision anticipated before the close of 2025.

A Leap in Battlefield Intelligence​

The ISTAR program represents a major evolution in India's military intelligence and strike coordination capabilities. These aircraft are far more than simple spy planes; they are sophisticated flying command centres.

By integrating a suite of advanced sensors with powerful artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms, ISTAR will provide the Indian Air Force (IAF) with a complete, real-time picture of the battlefield across land, air, and sea.

Designed to operate at high altitudes of over 40,000 feet for missions lasting at least eight hours, these planes can survey extensive territories from a safe distance.

This capability allows military commanders to monitor enemy movements, identify targets, and direct precision attacks without exposing assets to hostile fire, effectively acting as a 'nerve centre in the sky'.

Homegrown Brains on a Global Platform​

At the heart of the ISTAR aircraft is a state-of-the-art sensor and communication package developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS). This suite includes:

• Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR): Capable of producing high-resolution images of the ground from up to 200 km away, penetrating through clouds, rain, and darkness.
• Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI): A system designed to detect and track moving vehicles on the ground from a distance of 150 km.
• Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors: High-powered cameras for detailed visual surveillance during day and night.
• Signals Intelligence (SIGINT): Equipment to intercept and analyse enemy communications and electronic signals.

This data is processed on board using AI to automatically identify threats. It is then shared instantly across the military network via high-speed satellite links, connecting with fighter jets, drones, and ground troops through the IAF’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS).

This network-centric approach makes ISTAR a powerful force multiplier.

Overcoming Past Delays​

India's ambition to acquire such a capability has been a long-standing one.

Initial discussions for ISTAR systems with the American company Raytheon, intended to be fitted on Gulfstream jets, began in 2013 but eventually stalled due to administrative hurdles and cost concerns.

Another attempt in 2017 to purchase two aircraft via the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route for $1 billion also failed to proceed.

The current initiative marks a more streamlined strategy, successfully combining proven, Indian-developed sensor technology with a globally sourced, high-performance airframe.

The Final Contenders​

The selection of the base aircraft is now the program's most crucial step. Both potential airframes are long-range business jets renowned for their reliability, endurance, and ability to carry heavy, specialised payloads.

• Gulfstream G550: This platform has a strong track record in military applications. It is the basis for several special-mission aircraft globally, including Israel’s advanced "Shavit" intelligence platform and Italy's E-550A airborne early warning aircraft. Its reliability was a key reason for its consideration in India's previous acquisition attempts.
• Bombardier Global 6000: A direct competitor, the Global 6000 series is also widely used for surveillance missions. The United Kingdom's Royal Air Force operates its latest generation, the Global 6500, as the "Shadow R2" intelligence platform, and the UAE uses it for its "GlobalEye" Airborne Early Warning & Control system.

The final decision will be based on multiple factors, including acquisition cost, long-term maintenance, and the ease of integrating the DRDO’s complex sensor package.

Once the contract is signed, the IAF anticipates the delivery of these transformative aircraft within a 60-month timeframe, ushering India into an elite club of nations operating similar high-tech surveillance systems.

 

With MAHASAGAR, India Solidifies Its 'Act East' Policy, Aiming for Inclusive Growth Across the Indo-Pacific

India Slams Munir’s Nuclear Threats from America, Questioning the Trump Admin's Partnership with a Rogue State

[Flanker]

Why not Embraer?

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

Just think about our procurement timeline... initiated in 2013... now it's 2025... a choice will be made at the end of the year... then signing the deal and expecting delivery around 2027... just 14 years for 3 aircraft...

 

[Conderio]

Guys, what's the difference between ISTAR and AWACS, and what would have changed in the recent operation Sindoor if we had any one of these or battle scenarios?

 

[Anant]

Why not Embraer?

Embraer presently only manufactures the E-Jet and E-Jet E2 families. Even the smallest of those (the E170) would be too large for the ISTAR role.

 

[Anant]

Guys, what's the difference between ISTAR and AWACS, and what would have changed in the recent operation Sindoor if we had any one of these or battle scenarios?

AWACS is specifically designed to track enemy aircraft and missiles. ISTAR, on the other hand, is used for electronic warfare and signals intelligence.

Oh, and we almost certainly had both AWACS and ISTAR aircraft in the air during Operation Sindoor. We have six AWACS jets and one ISTAR aircraft, the latter being a venerable Boeing 707.

 

[Kira]

Just think about our procurement timeline... initiated in 2013... now it's 2025... a choice will be made at the end of the year... then signing the deal and expecting delivery around 2027... just 14 years for 3 aircraft...

Plus they then complain of "escalating" costs, and this attitude of the bureaucracy is why India is considered a problematic place to do business as compared to other places in Asia.

The crux of the matter is that India should understand that all good things cost a pretty penny, and instead of postponing it, it should always be bought earlier at the first opportunity.

 

[Suddhasattwa Bandyopadhyay]

Why not Embraer? We're already operating Embraers for DRDO AWACS, and their C-390M can even be used for MTA, refuelling aircraft, ISTAR, and maritime surveillance. Embraer is the best choice as they wanted to form a JV with Mahindra to manufacture and export it, including setting up an MRO facility in India.

 

[Indeevar Sharma]

But anything from any country except the US, we will always be at risk even for fighter jet engines, P8I reconnaissance aircraft, Apache, Romeo, etc.

 

[Mythbuster]

Even if we don't learn our lessons, God forbid, we are bound to lose, just like Karan in Mahabharat forgot all his powers when needed most.

 

[Sandeep]

There is a lot of planes that we can use but the ideal plane should be Tatas Grob plane that they recently purchased the IPR and it can be manufactured 100% indigenously. Companies like gulf stream or bombardier will never allow us to manufacture 100% of their plane and we would need them to install all of our indigenous equipment and technology just to get it certified.

It’s much better to install all of our indigenous technology and equipment with our own plane. It’s much cheaper, quicker and easier to do all of the work ourselves which will protect our classified equipment and technology. This will stop what other countries end up learning about our technology and it’s capabilities just to get it certified by them and work.

 

[Anant]

Why not Embraer? We're already operating Embraers for DRDO AWACS, and their C-390M can even be used for MTA, refuelling aircraft, ISTAR, and maritime surveillance. Embraer is the best choice as they wanted to form a JV with Mahindra to manufacture and export it, including setting up an MRO facility in India.

Ideally, given that the ISTAR jets would remain in service for upwards of four decades or so, a new jet would be preferable. It also helps with the conversion process (as evident by the challenges we had when we converted an old Boeing 707 to serve as our first, and to date only, ISTAR platform, which still serves us faithfully after about a decade and a half of service).

Now, Embraer only manufactures the E-Jet and E-Jet-E2 families these days, and these are larger passenger jets rather than the smaller business jets of the ERJ family. As such, these jets would not only be more expensive, but would also be too large for the ISTAR role.

 

[Abhishek Nag]

Wonder if NAL RTA-70 can be used. It's almost ready, needs $2bn for delivery.

 

[Leo red]

Plus they then complain of "escalating" costs, and this attitude of the bureaucracy is why India is considered a problematic place to do business as compared to other places in Asia.

The crux of the matter is that India should understand that all good things cost a pretty penny, and instead of postponing it, it should always be bought earlier at the first opportunity.

Ohh really. You find other countries easy to deal with. See what US is doing right now. Who is delaying weapons from last 4 years. Please try not to blame only our country's people there are tons of people abroad who play with our system all time.

 

[Leo red]

Just buy it faster. Inventory is having less options. And need lots of fuel tankers also. Next time war will be from long distance. Beyond range and with long range weapons. Fighters need to be at distance and flying at height with lots of payload. Atleast not fuel tanks specially.

 

[Suddhasattwa Bandyopadhyay]

Ideally, given that the ISTAR jets would remain in service for upwards of four decades or so, a new jet would be preferable. It also helps with the conversion process (as evident by the challenges we had when we converted an old Boeing 707 to serve as our first, and to date only, ISTAR platform, which still serves us faithfully after about a decade and a half of service).

Now, Embraer only manufactures the E-Jet and E-Jet-E2 families these days, and these are larger passenger jets rather than the smaller business jets of the ERJ family. As such, these jets would not only be more expensive, but would also be too large for the ISTAR role.

The C390M could be made into 3-in-1 joint platform with ISTAR, AWACS with a 360 rotodrome plus Long range Maritime radar with secure satcom links. Our Navy is very weak on the AWACS front. They rely on the IAF. So, these joint platforms should be part of the common signals command.

 

[Anant]

Wonder if NAL RTA-70 can be used. It's almost ready, needs $2bn for delivery.

No, it cannot. Firstly, the RTA-70 still needs over 2 billion USD just to reach the testing stage. Secondly, even if we do give that money, there is no guarantee when (and even if) the RTA-70 will actually be completed. Remember that NAL is an organisation that is so horribly inefficient that it can make HAL look like some hyper-efficient organisation.

Oh, and even in the best case scenario, the RTA-70 is atleast half a decade (and in reality closer to a full decade) away from being cleared for service after the funds are allocated.

 

[Anant]

The C390M could be made into 3-in-1 joint platform with ISTAR, AWACS with a 360 rotodrome plus Long range Maritime radar with secure satcom links. Our Navy is very weak on the AWACS front. They rely on the IAF. So, these joint platforms should be part of the common signals command.

Sir, in theory, I agree with you. However, in practice, we have seen such joint assets see some tussle over usage (just looking at the AWACS, for instance). Also, while we can definitely create a common AWACS + ISTAR aircraft, that would also make it considerably more expensive.

A better idea would have been to have a common baseline platform for all three roles (AWACS, ISTAR, and MPA roles), similar to the US using the Boeing 737NG for the AWACS and MPA roles (in form of the potentially-cancelled E-7 and P-8 respectively), but the ship has already sailed on that, unless we want to get some A321 MPA aircraft in addition to the P-8Is.

The C-390 could be this common platform, but that would require both a considerable period of time and money, and I am afraid we are short on both.

 

[Abhishek Nag]

No, it cannot. Firstly, the RTA-70 still needs over 2 billion USD just to reach the testing stage. Secondly, even if we do give that money, there is no guarantee when (and even if) the RTA-70 will actually be completed. Remember that NAL is an organisation that is so horribly inefficient that it can make HAL look like some hyper-efficient organisation.

Oh, and even in the best case scenario, the RTA-70 is atleast half a decade (and in reality closer to a full decade) away from being cleared for service after the funds are allocated.

Unfortunately, we should not give up on RTA 70. A smaller amount towards SPV-1 and 2 can be given with private industry participation, as a 90-seater passenger plane can be a big revenue generator.

 

[Anshumaan Maharana]

Boeing was also interested in providing the base aircraft, right? I heard it from somewhere two months ago.