Indian Air Force Seeks Eyes in the Sky, RFI issued for ISTAR Aircrafts

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) concerning the procurement of 3 Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Systems. This move underscores the growing necessity for enhanced intelligence capabilities in contemporary military operations. The systems, to be acquired under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured) and Buy (Indian) provisions of DAP-2020, are slated to bolster India’s defense posture significantly.

The ISTAR systems, once integrated into the Indian Air Force’s arsenal, will serve as a pivotal component in its operational framework. The urgency for such platforms stems from the escalating need for real-time battlefield intelligence and heightened vigilance along India’s borders. As regional dynamics evolve and security challenges become more complex, the acquisition of advanced surveillance technologies becomes imperative for safeguarding national interests.

The envisaged ISTAR platform offers a comprehensive suite of capabilities designed to provide timely and actionable intelligence to military commanders. Among its primary functions are the tracking of adversary movements across borders, gathering of signal intelligence, and identification of enemy radar and air defense installations. These capabilities are crucial for enhancing situational awareness, facilitating rapid decision-making, and ensuring operational effectiveness in diverse operational environments.

Key among the capabilities of the ISTAR platform is its ability to complement existing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assets. While UAVs have proven invaluable for reconnaissance and surveillance missions, the integration of dedicated ISTAR platforms further enhances the Air Force’s reconnaissance capabilities. By combining manned and unmanned assets, the IAF can achieve a synergistic approach to intelligence gathering, enabling persistent surveillance over contested areas and enhancing response capabilities to emerging threats.

The timeline for the acquisition, with delivery expected within 60 months after contract signing, underscores the urgency with which the IAF is pursuing enhanced intelligence capabilities. The rapid pace of technological advancements necessitates timely acquisition and integration of cutting-edge systems to maintain strategic parity and operational superiority.

 

[NSR]

ISTAR is an extremely important system for Indian securities and defenses and repeatedly keeps talking for almost a decade or so.
At one time, India wanted to order Raytheorn ISTAR aircraft but did not most probably due to cost and clearances from USA.

The best solution is to develop in steps like Netra I, I+, and now II, etc and keep upgrading it constantly.
Waiting too long to make decisions is costing India more and more.

 

[Sandeep]

Currently India only uses about 3 ISTAR planes. India needs to 100% indigenously develop around 15-20 platforms so that we can always use them on the LAC and Pakistan border. If it's possible that a drone can carry out ISTAR missions then we can have a mixture of planes and drones but we need to gather SIGINT and COMINT to intercept their military communication network but also create problems by using EW.

 

[Jay K Sinhal]

This is a game changer, a term used by Mr Kunde too often inappropriately.

 

[Pink Panther]

60 months means it will be from Raytheon , made in India, we know how long it will take for the acquisition of the Bombardier Aircrats with the issues with Canada, and install all the equipments, it is impossible in 5 years.