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

PlatformBase AircraftKey Radar/SensorsRange/EnduranceStrengths vs IAF ISTAR
SAAB GlobalEyeBombardier Global 6000/6500Erieye 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 WedgetailBoeing 737360° L-band MESA radar ​Needs refuelling for parity ​Bulkier; Global 6500 excels in logistics, altitude (51,000 ft) ​
Raytheon Sentinel R1Bombardier Global ExpressDual BR700 engines, towed decoys ​High-altitude stand-offPrecedent for Global platform; IAF adds real-time MTI ​
S. Korea L3HarrisBombardier Global 6500Elta 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)