IAF mulls indigenising surveillance equipment for imported aerostat

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 4

With the surveillance equipment being used in its imported aerostats facing obsolescence and maintenance issues, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is exploring the feasibility of developing replacements through the indigenous route.

The air headquarters is looking at Indian industries, research and development establishments and academic institutes that have the requisite technical expertise and financial capability as well as experience in developing and testing aviation related military grade equipment, IAF sources said.

In mid-2000s, the IAF had procured aerostats from Israel for surveillance of border areas. An aerostat is an unpowered helium-filled balloon above the ground.