Test flight in the India stratosphere with the HAPS solution. Photo: Mira Aerospace

Mira Aerospace is collaborating with India-based aerospace and defense company VEDA Aeronautics to deliver high altitude pseudo satellite (HAPS) solutions to the Indian market. Mira Aerospace is a joint venture between Bayanat and UAVOS to develop HAPS technology, based in the United Arab Emirates. 

Mira Aerospace aims to pair its ApusNeo HAPS technology with VEDA Aeronautics’ local development capabilities. In this agreement, the company’s plan to deliver a HAPS platform to the Indian market in the first half of 2024. The offering will be available to both Indian defense and civilian clients.

“We see India as an important market in Mira Aerospace’s international growth strategy. Covering huge areas of diverse terrain, we see a clear opportunity to provide cutting-edge, AI-powered geospatial solutions to our partners in the region. The collaboration between Mira Aerospace and VEDA Aeronautics demonstrates the growing need for geospatial solutions,” said Hasan Al Hosani, managing director of Bayanat.

Mira Aerospace and VEDA Aeronautics previously performed test flights with a HAPS unit in the Indian stratosphere. The companies claim this test is the only such flight in India to date.

VEDA Aeronautics recently participated in the Make-1 project, an initiative from the Indian Air Force, to design and develop a HAPS solution capable of carrying a minimum 35 kg payload and sustaining operations at 18,000 m altitude for a minimum of 30 to 45 days. Under the Make-1 project, the HAPS developed through the partnership with Mira Aerospace could monitor Indian borders.

Bayanat is currently in the midst of a deal to combine with UAE satellite operator Yahsat to form a combined company, Space 42.