Eyes in the sky: How low-cost aerostats can help plug India’s radar coverage gaps

 India is enhancing its air defence with innovative solutions beyond traditional AWACS. Drones like the MQ-9B offer persistent surveillance, detecting low-flying threats. However, aerostat-based radar systems are emerging as a more cost-effective and dedicated option. These tethered balloons can provide continuous, wide-area coverage, complementing existing assets to create a robust, layered early warning network against modern aerial challenges. India is enhancing its air defence with innovative solutions beyond traditional AWACS. Drones like the MQ-9B offer persistent surveillance, detecting low-flying threats. However, aerostat-based radar systems are emerging as a more cost-effective and dedicated option. These tethered balloons can provide continuous, wide-area coverage, complementing existing assets to create a robust, layered early warning network against modern aerial challenges.