Lucknow-based Kalam Labs and Australia’s AVT Australia have signed a Joint Development MoU on November 5, 2025, to co-develop and manufacture advanced near-space ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) payloads for Indian defence applications. The partnership will focus on integrating AVT Australia’s cutting-edge EO/IR imaging systems into Kalam Labs’ high-altitude UAV platforms, enabling persistent surveillance at altitudes exceeding 30,000 metres. This collaboration marks a significant step in India’s pursuit of sovereign, high-altitude ISR capabilities, with potential applications for border monitoring, deep battlefield reconnaissance, and strategic surveillance in challenging terrains. The move also strengthens Indo-Australian defence technology ties, aligning with broader strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region.