Understanding the Strategic Importance of AS-HAPS Project

Days after the DAC in India accorded AoN to an IAF requirement for an Airship-based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS), Russia flight-tested a conceptually similar system.

India's AS-HAPS and the Russian system, named Barrage-1, are both based on lighter-than-air platforms that operate in the stratosphere.

However, while the AS-HAPS is being developed for the Indian Air Force to carry out "persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Electronic Intelligence, telecommunication and remote sensing", Russia's Barrage is primarily focused on providing low-latency, high-bandwidth internet to its troops and field formations.

Another difference: the Russian system is not based on an airship platform; it is based on an aerostat platform.

Barrage System

The Russian system, named Barrage-1, will initially provide Starlink-like connectivity along the battlefront in Ukraine. Later, with increased deployment, the system will provide high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity in remote areas and across the country.

Russia's Barrage-1 has been developed by the Russian company Aerodrommash in cooperation with Bauman Moscow State Technical University.

🚨⚡️ UNUSUAL: "Starlink" with 100% Russian Flavor.. 🇷🇺🛰️

Russia has officially begun flight tests for the "Barrage-1" platform, a stratospheric drone (flying in the upper atmospheric layers) designed to serve as a cost-effective alternative to satellites and global communication… pic.twitter.com/UJEuqasXjm

— RussiaNews 🇷🇺 (@mog_russEN) February 15, 2026

The first successful test flight was announced around February 12, 2026.

Most news outlets have reported an operating altitude of 20 km, but some reports allude to an altitude capability in the 20–40 km range.

The system, which can stay aloft for several weeks, features up to a 100 kg payload comprising communications, 5G relay, and other equipment.

The aerostat is made of translucent film material typical of high-altitude balloons. It keeps station and cruises using pneumatic ballasting that leverages differences in wind speed and direction at varying altitudes.

The operating altitude of the Barrage system facilitates low-latency broadband connectivity to Russian drones and hybrid cruise missile–drone combinations operating deep inside Ukrainian territory — the kind of connectivity that Ukrainian forces already enjoy using Starlink.

Allow me to explain latency.

Typically, satellite-based internet uses satellites parked in geostationary orbit (GSO) at an altitude of 35,786 km (22,236 miles) above Earth's mean sea level. Starlink uses a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 550 km.

RF signals typically take 240 ms for a round trip to a GSO satellite. In contrast, a round trip to a Starlink satellite takes only 3.7 ms.

Guess what a round trip to a HAPS platform would take? 0.3 ms!

Low-latency connectivity facilitates remote piloting of drones. It also enables instantaneous, widespread distribution of footage relayed by the drone to command-and-control nodes for quick decision-making.

The Barrage-1 system will not only allow real-time control of Russian drones operating deep inside Ukrainian territory, it will also facilitate instantaneous dissemination of drone video footage to command-and-control nodes for a quick response.

Indian HAPS Development

India has been actively developing HAPS technology over the past five years.

NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT), a Bengaluru-based private limited company, has been developing an autonomous, solar-powered unmanned aerial system (UAS) in collaboration with HAL, the prototype development partner.

According to the company, the aircraft is being designed to stay airborne for more than 90 days while cruising at an altitude of 65,000 ft. A scale model has already been tested.

In October 2022, the company spokesperson told Jane's, “The scale model, which was tested, has a wingspan of 8 m. The full-sized HAPS is planned to have a wingspan of 24 or 25 m.”

In February 2024, Jane's reported that India's Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) had carried out a series of flight tests on a subscale model of its high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) platform.

The tests were conducted at the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO's) Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) at Challakere, Karnataka, from January 23, 2024, to February 2, 2024. During the tests, the subscale model, which has a wingspan of 12 m and a maximum take-off weight of 22 kg, conducted about 22 sorties and accumulated close to 37 flight hours.

L. Venkatakrishnan, NAL's chief scientist and high-altitude platform programme director, told Jane's, “The aircraft met or exceeded all the performance metrics set out for it, including a flight endurance of more than 8 hours 30 minutes and reaching an altitude of almost 3 km above mean sea level.” Venkatakrishnan added that metrics including climb rate, maximum bank angle, turn radius, and one-engine-inoperative performance were also assessed during the flight tests.

Mira Aerospace (UAE) and VEDA Aeronautics (India) have an active India-UAE collaboration on a fixed-wing, solar-powered HAPS.

The collaboration pivots around Mira's mature ApusNeo HAPS technology. VEDA serves as the “Make in India” front.

In March 2024, VEDA had committed to "deliver a HAPS platform specific to the Indian market within the first half of 2024."

Prior to that statement, the company's technology demonstrator HAPS unit flew in the Indian stratosphere — the only such flight in India to date.

The HAPS operates solely on solar energy and cruises autonomously at altitudes ranging from 16 to 20 km for extended periods. It cruises at 18,000 m with a 35 kg payload, with endurance varying from 30 to 45 days.

In January 2026, the Indian Army awarded a fast-track contract worth ₹168 crore (≈ USD 18.6 million) to Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT) for its solar-powered Medium Altitude Persistent Surveillance System (MAPSS) UAV.

AS-HAPS

It appears that HAPS and AS-HAPS are two distinct projects. Only one of them, AS-HAPS, has received DAC AoN, indicating high development and procurement costs.

HAPS development has so far been privately funded, and the recent procurement contract is under the Indian Army's emergency purchase authorisation.

Conclusion

India in the past has focused solely on developing solar-powered high-altitude drones as pseudo-satellites. However, the focus has been on surveillance and communication relay.

The AoN for AS-HAPS appears to be a more ambitious project. Hopefully, Indian defence planners have factored in the enormous advantages that will accrue from integrating broadband internet capabilities into the planned AS-HAPS.

If the Barrage system delivers on its promise, it will likely do so at a very small fraction of the cost of deploying and maintaining the Starlink system. A similar spin-off could accrue to India from the AS-HAPS project.

Nirbhay’s Successors: Two Potent Naval Cruise Missiles Take Shape

ChatGPT generated image showing a submarine launching a cruise missile.

On February 12, 2026, The New Indian Express reported that the MoD has released a Request for Information (RFI) for procuring an undersea-launched missile capable of engaging land targets at ranges from a minimum of 50 km to beyond 500 km, with high accuracy and survivability. The missile is required to be compatible with standard 533 mm torpedo tubes used by the Navy’s existing conventional submarines and weigh under 1,500 kg, including the launch capsule.

The RFI states that the missile required is intended to provide “long-range strike capability against land targets” and stipulates that the missile should be capable of engaging targets “with high probability of kill” while being launched from conventional submarines.

The RFI further specifies that the missile should be capable of operating in contested environments, including GPS-denied conditions, and incorporate terrain-following capability, waypoint navigation, and anti-jamming features.

Indian Navy Requirement

The Indian Navy (IN) wants to procure a subsonic cruise missile that can be launched from a standard 533 mm torpedo tube of any conventional or nuclear submarine.

The IN had initially toyed with the idea of adapting the BrahMos for launch from a submarine. Indeed, a vertically launched submarine version of BrahMos was tested on March 20, 2013, from a submerged platform in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Visakhapatnam.

However, to facilitate vertical launch from a submarine, an additional section would need to be plugged into the submarine. Plugging a new section would have been a risky proposition since it would have altered the buoyancy of an existing boat. Additionally, there would have been technical, financial, and timeline challenges.

A torpedo tube-launched cruise missile is a cheaper and more versatile option, though the missile would lack the destructive capability of the supersonic BrahMos.

The IN is currently equipped with Russian-origin Klub-S cruise missiles integrated with its Project 877EKM (Sindhughosh class) and HDW Type 209 (Shishumar class) submarines, and the French SM39 Exocet cruise missiles integrated with its HDW Type 209 (Shishumar class) submarines.

The SM39 Exocet missile does not have a land-attack variant. However, a land-attack variant of the missile called SM40 is under development in France.

The Klub-S has two variants — 3M54E1 anti-ship and 3M14E land-attack cruise missiles.

In July 2018, Russian shipbuilder Zvezdochka and Indian shipbuilder Larsen and Toubro announced their partnership to conduct medium refit and life certification (MRLC) upgrades on four of the Indian Navy's Sindhughosh-class submarines, which are the local designation for the Russian Project 877EKM Kilo-class diesel-electric attack submarines.

The partnership involved one submarine undergoing refit at Zvezdochka's facility in Severodvinsk, Russia, to facilitate technology transfer and training for Indian personnel. The remaining three would be handled at L&T's Kattupalli shipyard near Chennai, India.

The MRLC included integration of the Klub-S (3M-54E/3M-14E) missile system for anti-ship and land-attack capabilities, allowing strikes up to 220–300 km depending on the variant.

DRDO's SLCM

According to the DRDO Annual Report 2018, the MoD sanctioned the development of a Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM) in 2017.

The SLCM is a derivative of the ITCM subsonic cruise missile.

ITCM

The ITCM, in turn, is a Nirbhay derivative. During DefExpo 2020, the DRDO announced completion and closure of the Nirbhay project and the launch of the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) project based on technology developed for the Nirbhay project.

The ITCM differs from the Nirbhay in being powered by an indigenously developed small turbofan engine named Manik. Additionally, the ITCM features an RF seeker, something that the Nirbhay was never tested with.

The ITCM was last flight-tested successfully on April 17, 2024. The successful flight test established reliable performance of the Manik turbofan developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), Bengaluru, and all other subsystems, including the RF seeker.

According to the DRDO, the ITCM has a range of 1,000 km and a warhead of 300 kg. It weighs 1,500 kg and has a length of 6 m.

SLCM

The SLCM variant of the ITCM would need to be shorter and lighter to make it compatible for launch from a torpedo tube. Consequently, it will feature a 250-kilogram penetration-cum-blast or airburst warhead.

The SLCMs will be tested first on the Russian-origin Sindhughosh-class (Kilo-class) submarines as per the plan.

According to a media report, the DRDO successfully validated submarine launch capability in February 2023 during a developmental missile launch from an underwater platform. The missile tested covered a range of 402 kilometers.

The test was reportedly aimed at validating critical underwater launch processes such as wing deployment after surfacing and engine start during flight.

LR-LACM

Besides the SLCM, the DRDO is also developing a longer-range variant of the ITCM called the Long-Range Land-Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM) for precision attacks on static targets using its RF terminal seeker.

The LR-LACM flies a terrain-hugging/sea-skimming profile to avoid radar detection. It can navigate using waypoints and make flight profile changes to avoid adversary air defence zones, terrain, and other obstructions.

The missile can execute precision attacks on static targets using an RF seeker similar to the one developed for BrahMos for terminal homing.

The LR-LACM is being developed to meet the QRs projected by the IN to the DRDO. The missile is configured to launch from the ground (coastal batteries) using mobile articulated launchers and from frontline warships using a UVLM (Universal Vertical Launcher Module). Developed and patented by BrahMos Aerospace, the UVLM is already deployed on 30 ships of the Indian Navy.

Test of LR-LACM on November 12, 2024

The DRDO conducted the maiden flight test of the LR-LACM from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha on November 12, 2024, from a mobile articulated launcher.

"The missile followed the desired path using waypoint navigation and demonstrated its capability to perform various manoeuvres while flying at various altitudes and speeds. The missile is also equipped with advanced avionics and software to ensure better and reliable performance."

Decoding the Lethal Upgrade in Russia’s Latest Su-57 Deliveries

A Su-57 from the batch delivered on February 9, 2026

On February 9, 2026, Russia's UAC delivered a large batch of Su-57s which, according to a UAC press release, were “in a new technical configuration.”

“The aircraft have received upgraded onboard systems and a new weapons complex.”

According to a TASS report that quoted experts, one of the main changes in the modernized Su-57 aircraft is the upgraded 101KS onboard optical-electronic self-defense system.

The new 101KS has an infrared channel, believed to operate in the medium and long-wave ranges, in contrast to the system of the previous batches. 

101KS Atoll Electro-Optical (EO) System

The 101KS Atoll Electro-Optical (EO) system is designed primarily for complete situational awareness. The system additionally assists the pilot in operation of the aircraft at all stages. It is used for air-to-air and air-to-surface target engagement, piloting & landing, and as a defensive suite.

The 101KS is a passive sensor suite that emits no radiation - IR or RF - thus providing the Su-57 with increased stealth and survivability. 

The suite includes the 

1. 4 x 101KS-U Omnidirectional UV based MAWS (U/01 - Dorsal aft & Ventral aft; U/02 Either side behind cockpit)

2. 2 x 101KS-O: DIRCM Laser-based counter-measures against infrared missiles (Dorsal fore, Ventral behind cockpit)

3. 101KS-P: Opto-electronic sensor

4. 101KS-V: Omnidirectional IRST for airborne targets

5. 101KS-N: Targeting pod

IRST 101KS-V

IRST is installed atop the aircraft's nose, near its windscreen. Photo: UAC Russia

The Su-57 sports an advanced infrared search and track sensor in the traditional position on Russian fighters—installed atop the aircraft's nose, near its windscreen. The positioning adversely impacts front aspect stealth of the aircraft but the ability of IRST to passively engage stealth aircraft from increasingly greater distances makes up for the LO erosion.

101KS-V forward looking IRST

The fore sensor suite on the Su-57 with elements of the N036 AESA and Atoll EO System

101KS-O, 101KS-U

Like the F-22, the Su-57 has a number of missile launch detector apertures scattered around the aircraft but the Su-57 also has turrets that fire modulated laser beams at an incoming missile's seeker to blind it and throw it off course. The IRST, and DIRCM turrets are mounted dorsally behind the cockpit and ventrally under the cockpit. 

Upper and lower 101KS-O bubbles are visible in the photo at the top.

The 101KS-O turrets on the Su-57 duplicate the functionality of the 101KS-V Opto-electronic (IRST) unit placed ahead of the cockpit but additionally feature IR homing suppression laser to blind an attacking missile providing DIRCM.

The 101KS-O system consists of two laser-emitting turrets, with one placed behind the cockpit on the dorsal side, and the other beneath the cockpit on the ventral side.

The Su-57 is the first fighter in the world to feature a DIRCM. Hitherto, the system has only been used on transports and helicopters only, invariably placed on the ventral side in the past as defense against MANPADS. The use of DIRCM to blind an air-to-air missile is unprecedented.

101KS-O turret on display at MAKS 2019

101KS-O turret on display at MAKS 2019

The 101KS-U MAWS UV sensors (below) of the Su-57 Atoll detect approaching IR missiles and the 101KS-O DIRCM blinds their IR homing sensors with laser.

101KS-U MAWS sensors on the Su-57

101KS-P Thermal Imager

The 101KS-P high resolution thermal imager of the Su-57 Atoll is installed on the wing leading edge & provides low altitude piloting and landing at night

101KS-P Thermal Imager

101KS-N Targeting Pod

101KS-N Optical Pod

The 101KS-N is a multi-channel optical sighting system designed to detect, identify and engage ground targe. The pod features its own thermal stabilization system. 

Situational Awareness

According to First Deputy Igor KRET Nasenkov, the Su-57 features a smart skin that provides the pilot 360-deg situational awareness.

The term "smart skin" refers to the fact that many of the surface of the aircraft are versatile antenna systems that facilitate integrated use of all resources of the aircraft. 

S-71 Integration

Since the UAC press release talks of a new weapons complex, it is possible that the fresh batch of Su-57s delivered is capable of carrying the newly developed air-launched stealthy combat UAV designated S-71, a weapon first unveiled during Army 2024.

The S-71 is an air-launched UAV that can be tasked with target identification, marking, or destruction. Deploying and controlling the Su-57 would require an upgrade of onboard systems. 

The S-71 began captive-carry trials in April 2024 at Russia’s Flight Research Centre in Zhukovsky, with test flights involving the Su-57 fighter.

You can read more details about the S-71 at my Thumkar blog post here.

On January 17, 2026, it was reported that an S-71K “Carpet” for the first time demonstrated its effectiveness by successfully destroying the highly mobile M142 HIMARS multiple launch rocket system.

The cruise missile–drone hybrid has been developed by GosMKB Raduga JSC and can be used by 4++ generation multirole fighters, including the Su-35S, Su-30SM/SM2, as well as Su-34 NVO fighter-bombers.

Positive Indigenisation Lists, Negative Political Will - Is India Buying Western Weapons Unnecessarily?

V-BAT Drone. Image via Shield AI

ANI has recently reported that India and France are moving closer to a deal worth around €300 million for the procurement of additional SCALP long-range cruise missiles.

Doesn’t the import of SCALP missiles adversely impact the development and induction of the ITCM—Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (Nirbhay)?

Under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 and subsequent Positive Indigenisation Lists (formerly called Negative Import Lists), the Ministry of Defence barred the import of long-range cruise missiles to support the Nirbhay programme.

We appear to be breaking our own Make-in-India rules to acquire weapons from Western nations, increasing our dependency on foreign vendors instead of reducing it.

If Atmanirbharta is a genuine quest, why isn’t the development of the ITCM being prioritised?

The ITCM Mystery

The ITCM has been under development since 2010. It is ironic that in 15 years we have not been able to develop a subsonic cruise missile, and yet we are confident of developing the AMCA, which is not even at the prototype stage, within 10 years.

However, ITCM was last successfully tested on April 18, 2024. During the test, all subsystems performed as per expectations.

The successful flight test also established the reliable performance of the indigenous propulsion system (Manik turbojet) developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), Bengaluru.

Would it not make more sense to use the €300 million earmarked for the SCALP purchase to operationalise the ITCM as soon as possible, at least on the Su-30MKI? One cannot help but wonder if the additional purchase of SCALPs is a quid pro quo for the recent trade deal with the EU.

India, it appears, is bending over backwards to please Western nations despite being shabbily treated by the U.S.

Ignoring Russian Weapons

It appears that the Atmanirbharta paradigm applies only to Russian weapons. The IAF has projected a requirement for 2–3 interim stealth fighters. Russia has offered the Su-57 fighters, but India cannot acquire them because it could negatively impact the AMCA programme. (More likely, it is because we fear U.S. sanctions.)

Logically speaking, if AMCA is delivered as per the projected timeline and turns out to be better than the Su-57, then that would be the end of the Su-57—not just in India, but also in other possible Russian export markets.

With Russian weapons, which tend to be more cost-effective, we look a gift horse in the mouth. Western weapons, however, are treated like thoroughbreds even when they are actually overpriced mules.

Our desire to please the West now goes well beyond acquiring weapon systems that we cannot develop.

Take the case of drones, for example. By any logic, all types of drones should be on the Positive Indigenisation List. Where is the need to import drones? Surely, we have the time, talent, and technical know-how to develop our own.

So how does one explain India’s increasing dependence on U.S. and European companies for drones?

V-BAT Acquisition & Local Production

The recent tie-up between India’s JSW Defence and U.S. defence contractor Shield AI to locally manufacture the V-BAT Unmanned Aerial System in India for use by the Indian Army (IA) deserves scrutiny.

V-BAT is a very capable reconnaissance drone with around 12 hours of endurance. It can operate at altitudes of up to 20,000 feet and has a range of up to 180 km with a line-of-sight data link, which can be extended using SATCOM.

Besides its ability to navigate through GPS-denied environments, the drone stands out for its ability to take off and land vertically. Despite its large size, its VTOL capability allows it to operate from only a 12×12-foot clearing, making it deployable from jungle clearings or narrow Himalayan ridges.

V-BAT uses ducted-fan technology, which facilitates an improved maximum take-off weight to payload weight ratio.

V-BAT’s duct increases thrust by 80%+ at equivalent engine power, enabling take-off and landing with a single powerplant. It can fly for half a day or stop and hover for hours on end.

On the downside, the drone costs approximately $1 million per unit.

The IA has acquired V-BAT drones worth roughly $35 million (approximately ₹295 crore) under the emergency purchase provision. Now, JSW Defence is investing $90 million to set up production in Hyderabad.

To be useful to the IA, the drone would need to operate near the LoC or LAC. However, considering its large size, slow speed (167 km/h), and operating height of 20,000 ft, when operating close to the border the drone would always be vulnerable to adversary AD systems.

Notably, the drone is powered by Shield AI’s licensed Hivemind autonomy software. Hivemind AI allows the V-BAT to operate autonomously using machine vision in GPS-denied environments and during heavy electronic warfare (EW) jamming.

One should not expect Shield AI to part with the software’s source code.

The question here is: is the requirement for V-BAT capability compelling enough for the private-sector JSW to invest $90 million without firm orders? Or is there proverbially more to it than meets the eye?

Drone Racket

Many small Indian private-sector companies are now selling drones to the Indian Armed Forces. You might think the drones they are selling are indigenously developed. Think again!

Most of the drones with fancy Sanskrit names being sold to the Armed Forces (AFs) are not Indian-designed, developed, or manufactured, despite Atmanirbharta claims.

Chennai-based private company TUNGA Aerospace Industries was in the news recently for having tied up with Czech firm U&C UAS to supply drones to India’s armed forces. Disconcertingly, the drones proposed to be sold to the AFs are based on Ukrainian technology.

U&C UAS is marketing modified Ukrainian drones, including platforms derived from the Leleka and Bulava drone families.

Any ToT clause notwithstanding, Indian private-sector joint ventures with foreign OEMs will not lead to Indian-designed, developed, and manufactured products in the future. The JSW–Shield AI joint venture will continue peddling V-BAT upgrades and follow-on variants under Sanskrit names, just as TUNGA Aerospace will continue peddling Ukrainian drones.