The helium filled aerostat has night vision cameras, sound recorders, weighs around 300 kgs, can be reused.

 Gupta said this aerostat can view an area of 20 kms. But later with more advanced cameras fitted the range can go beyond 100 kms.

 At the initiative of DRDO the Agra based Aerial Delivery Research Development Establishment has designed and fabricated the high tech platform. "This puts India at number two place after America," claimed an official.

The facility, shaped like an aircraft, will be used for communication and surveillance. The platform integrates high end technology, aerodynamics, balloon techniques, hydraulics, fabrication, high pressure cylinder technology, according to the scientists involved in the project.

A scientist described it as a mini-AWACS.