The Indian Air Force stands on the cusp of a transformative upgrade in its
intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR)
capabilities. Under a monumental ₹10,000 crore initiative, three Bombardier
Global-6500 ultra-long-range business jets will be converted into
sophisticated airborne command centres.
Spearheaded by the DRDO, this project exemplifies India's push towards
self-reliance in defence technology.
At its core, the ISTAR mission equips these aircraft to serve as elevated
nerve centres for military operations. They will monitor enemy movements
across vast distances, detect emerging threats, and relay precise targeting
data to strike assets. Operating as 'eyes in the sky', these platforms can
peer hundreds of kilometres into adversarial territory without breaching
borders, providing real-time situational awareness.
The selection of the Bombardier Global 6500 as the base platform reflects
meticulous strategic planning by the IAF. This Canadian-manufactured jet,
renowned for its luxury in civilian aviation, boasts an unrefuelled range of
6,600 nautical miles—equivalent to roughly 12,200 kilometres. Such endurance
enables prolonged patrols along India's expansive borders or rapid deployment
to remote theatres of interest.
The aircraft's cavernous cabin, originally crafted for opulent passenger
travel, offers generous space for retrofitting advanced military hardware.
Engineers will install cutting-edge radar arrays, encrypted communication
suites, and ergonomic workstations for mission crews. This layout ensures
operators can collaborate seamlessly during missions lasting up to 12 hours or
more.
Cruising at altitudes of 51,000 feet, the Global 6500 surpasses most
commercial airliners and many fighter jets. This lofty perch grants superior
sensor coverage over expansive areas while minimising vulnerability to
surface-to-air threats. Modern avionics and proven reliability further
translate to lower maintenance demands and enhanced operational availability.
What elevates this endeavour beyond mere platform acquisition is DRDO's
commitment to indigenous innovation. The organisation is crafting home-grown
systems, including synthetic aperture radar (SAR) capable of generating
high-resolution terrain maps irrespective of weather or darkness. These radars
will penetrate clouds and foliage to reveal hidden infrastructure.
Complementing SAR are electronic intelligence (ELINT) suites designed to
intercept and analyse adversarial communications and radar emissions.
Real-time moving target indication (MTI) technology will pinpoint vehicular
convoys, troop concentrations, and even low-observable assets. This suite of
sensors fuses data into a unified battlespace picture, delivered via secure
datalinks.
By prioritising 'Make in India' components, the project slashes reliance on
foreign vendors. Sensitive technologies remain shielded from espionage risks,
while Indian engineers accrue expertise transferable to future programs like
advanced drones or sixth-generation fighters. This dual focus on capability
and sovereignty marks a pivotal shift in India's defence posture.
Tactically, these ISTAR assets will revolutionise border vigilance along the
Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with
Pakistan. They can loiter for hours, spotting troop mobilisations, artillery
repositioning, or unusual logistics activity far earlier than ground-based
observers. Early warnings enable pre-emptive force posturing.
In active conflict, the aircraft's prowess shines brightest. They will furnish
fighter squadrons and missile batteries with pinpoint coordinates, boosting
first-pass hit rates and curbing collateral damage. Multi-target tracking—from
armoured columns to mobile SAM sites—feeds command echelons instantaneously,
fostering agile decision cycles.
Crew safety remains paramount; these jets loiter beyond enemy engagement
envelopes, relying on stand-off sensors rather than risky overflights.
Integration with networked assets like Rafale jets, Apache helicopters, and
Heron drones will forge a layered intelligence-strike ecosystem, amplifying
the IAF's combat multiplier effect.
Compared to legacy platforms such as the IAF's ageing Gulfstream G-100 or
leased Phalcon AWACS, the ISTAR jets herald a quantum leap. Newer sensors
discern stealthier, smaller threats; endurance doubles mission timelines;
onboard AI-driven processing distils petabytes of data into actionable
insights swiftly; and quantum-resistant encryption thwarts jamming attempts.
Technically, the Global 6500 spans 30.4 metres in length with a 28.7-metre
wingspan. Twin Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 engines, each delivering 15,125 pounds of
thrust, propel it to Mach 0.90—around 950 km/h. Maximum take-off weight hits
48,307 kg, with the militarised interior prioritising consoles over passenger
seats for 10-12 operators.
Pressurisation and environmental controls sustain peak human performance on
ultra-long sorties. Avionics suites, including fly-by-wire controls and
synthetic vision, ease pilot workload amid complex missions. Ground
infrastructure—mobile control stations, simulators, and sustainment
depots—forms part of the package, ensuring rapid induction.
Critics may scrutinise the ₹10,000 crore outlay for just three aircraft, but
this encompasses far more than airframes. Funds cover sensor R&D, systems
integration, flight testing, certification, training syllabi, and lifecycle
support. Amortised over decades of service, the per-unit cost aligns with
global peers like the US E-7 Wedgetail or Swedish GlobalEye.
The IAF's verdict rings affirmative: the Global 6500's off-the-shelf maturity
trumps bespoke development timelines, which could span years amid supply chain
hurdles. Its kinematics align flawlessly with ISTAR demands, blending speed,
altitude, and persistence. Indigenous payloads preserve strategic autonomy
without compromising edge.
Looking forward, these platforms will anchor a resilient surveillance
architecture amid escalating regional tensions. They synergise with indigenous
stalwarts like TEJAS MK-2, Prachand helicopters, and loitering munitions,
deterring aggression through persistent overwatch. Export potential for DRDO's
sensor stack could further bolster India's defence industrial base.
Global ISTAR Platform Comparisons
| Platform | Base Aircraft | Key Radar/Sensors | Range/Endurance | Strengths vs IAF ISTAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAAB GlobalEye | Bombardier Global 6000/6500 | Erieye ER AESA (550 km), Seaspray 7500E GMTI | 12,000 km ferry, 11 hrs | Similar airframe; IAF gains indigenous SAR/ELINT for sovereignty |
| Boeing E-7 Wedgetail | Boeing 737 | 360° L-band MESA radar | Needs refuelling for parity | Bulkier; Global 6500 excels in logistics, altitude (51,000 ft) |
| Raytheon Sentinel R1 | Bombardier Global Express | Dual BR700 engines, towed decoys | High-altitude stand-off | Precedent for Global platform; IAF adds real-time MTI |
| S. Korea L3Harris | Bombardier Global 6500 | Elta EL/W-2085 GaN AESA, 360° low-alt coverage | Matches IAF (Mach 0.90) | Validates choice; DRDO payloads enhance drone detection |
In an era of hybrid threats—spanning cyber incursions to hypersonic
salvos—ISTAR elevates India's deterrence credibility. The program embodies
astute procurement: leveraging proven hulls, nurturing local tech, and
yielding versatile assets. For the IAF, these aerial sentinels promise
enduring vigilance over a volatile neighbourhood.
IDN (With Agency Inputs)














