The Spy Aircrafts of the Indian Air Force

Spy Aircrafts Of the Indian Air Force

You might have heard about spies. They use various methods to gain intelligence including honey traps. But today spying has reached another level because today there are aircrafts which are doing these works. They are called spy aircrafts or reconnaissance aircrafts.

What are Spy Aircrafts ?

The spy aircrafts are the military aircraft designed or adapted to perform aerial reconnaissance with roles including collection of imagery intelligence, signals intelligence, as well as measurement and signature intelligence. Modern technology has also enabled some aircrafts to carry out real-time surveillance in addition to general intelligence gathering.

The list of spy aircrafts of the Indian Air Force.

NameRoles Quantity Origin
Boeing 707Surveillance 1United States
Boeing 737Surveillance 2United States
Global 5000Signals Intelligence2United States
Gulfstream G100Surveillance2Israel

Boeing 707

Boeing 707 Spy aircrafts

The Boeing 707 is an American, long-range, narrow-body airliner, the first jetliner developed and produced by Boeing Commercial Aeroplanes. 

The militaries of many countries including India have used the civilian 707 aircraft in a variety of roles, and under different designations. 

The aircraft based on the Boeing 707 provides all-weather surveillance, command, control, and communications.

Boeing 737

Boeing 737

The Boeing 737 is a narrow-body aircraft produced by Boeing at its Renton Factory in Washington. Many countries operate the 737 passenger, BBJ, and cargo variants in government or military applications including India. 

India has decided to put all Boeing 737 aircraft in use across the country under “enhanced surveillance”, hours after a China Eastern Airlines aircraft crashed, killing 132 people.

Global 5000

Global 5000

The Bombardier Global Express is a large cabin, 11,100 km range business jet designed and manufactured by Bombardier Aviation. Bombardier Global 5000 Special Mission Aircraft of RAW. The aircraft was modified by Israel and now is capable of airborne intelligence-gathering.

Special mission aircraft are operated by the Aviation Research Centre (ARC) which is the technical arm of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The two Bombardier Global 5,000 long-range business jets modified by Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI). They are prepared for special missions have now been delivered to India. They operate alongside the ARC’s ageing Gulfstream special mission aircraft. The deal to acquire the two aircraft was signed in 2011, with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) subsidiary Elta, overcoming competition from Raytheon.

Gulfstream G100

Gulfstream G100

The Gulfstream G100 is an Israel Aerospace Industries-manufactured twin-engine business jet that was produced for Gulfstream Aerospace. They are used for executive transport, as an air ambulance, for specialised target towing, and for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) applications.

References from :- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Indian_military_aircraft