Akashdeep Aerostat is a aerial surveillance system developed by Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment (ADRDE), laboratory under Defence Research & Development organization (DRDO) of India.

The aerostat can be used for surveillance, intelligence, broadcasting communication relay and jamming of electronic systems

The system will be used by Indian Defence Services, paramilitary forces as well as have civilian applications including disaster management.

The Akashdeep aerostat is a medium-sized helium-filled balloon with a volume of 2,000 cubic metres tethered to the ground with cables.

It can carry a 300 kg payload to an altitude of 1,000 meters.

It can survey areas up to 20 km away and with advanced cameras and radar, its surveillance range is variously reported as 60 km or 100 km.

DRDO had spent around Rs 700 million on research and development of the device.

As on 2011 single fully developed unit is expected to cost Rs 16 to 200 million each .

The helium balloon is likely to be priced at Rs 6 to 70 million.

Contact address

A D R D E Agra
Mall Rd, Sultan Pura, Idgah Colony
Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001