Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) today conducted a successful flight trial of the indigenously developed High-Altitude Platform (HAPS). The Ministry of Defence said that the trial was conducted in coordination with the Indian Air Force, Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India and other civil authorities.

Giving details about the experimental flight, the ministry highlighted that after attaining an altitude of 21 kilometres above mean sea level, the flight maintained an altitude of 20 kilometres for more than 30 minutes. On its successful flight trial, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the team, saying it is an important milestone in India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat journey towards realising a long-endurance stratospheric Airship.