The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing its stratospheric airship testing program following a successful maiden flight in May 2025. Scheduled trials in October 2025 at the Jakhada Jagir testing site near Sheopur will evaluate key operational parameters of these unmanned helium-filled platforms, which can operate at altitudes of 15-20 km. Capable of providing long-duration surveillance at a fraction of the cost of satellites, the airships are poised to enhance India’s capabilities in defense intelligence, environmental monitoring, and covert operations. This initiative underscores India’s commitment to indigenous aerospace innovation and strengthens its strategic autonomy in high-altitude technologies, positioning India among a select group of nations with operational stratospheric airship capabilities.