The Indian Air Force has invited indigenous industry partners to develop a Medium Altitude Heavy Lift Airship under the DAP-2020 Make-I category, boosting self-reliance in advanced aerospace platforms.
The proposed hydrogen-based airship will support persistent ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), communication relay, and drone launch operations, offering long-duration mission capabilities for strategic and tactical use.
As per initial specifications, the platform is expected to deliver an endurance of 10 to 30 days, carry a payload between 2,000 and 5,000 kg, and operate at altitudes up to 30,000 feet AMSL.
The airship is also designed to achieve speeds of up to 100 knots true airspeed, making it a versatile and high-endurance asset for modern military requirements.