Indian Army Tests Indigenous Long-Range Drone Built to Beat Electronic Warfare

The Indian Army has moved toward strengthening its indigenous drone competencies with the successful trial of a new long-term drone designed to function even under intense electronic warfare conditions.

The test was conducted at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan by the artillery division of the Kharga Corps. The drone, a fixed-wing platform with a range of about 100 kilometres, has been advanced through a collaboration between Chennai-based start-ups and Army engineers from the artillery arm.

Senior military leadership observed the trial, which the Army defined as a milestone in its push for self-sufficiency in important technologies.  The Army said the successful demonstration marked a significant advance in the expansion of electronic warfare-resilient drone systems.

Unlike conventional unmanned platforms that depend heavily on continuous radio links and satellite-based navigation, the newly tested drone is intended to function in contested electromagnetic environments. Contemporary battlefields more and more see adversaries attempting to jam, spoof or hijack drones by targeting their communication frequencies or GPS signals, frequently rendering them ineffective or even turning them against their operators.

To counter such threats, electronic warfare-resilient drones use a combination of cutting-edge technologies. These comprise AI-driven mission control, onboard computing, visual and inertial navigation systems and pre-programmed flight paths that let the drone complete its task without constant external inputs. Anti-jamming communication techniques, for example, frequency hopping, low-probability-of-intercept signals and mesh networking, further improve survivability, while substitute control options can decrease vulnerability to electronic attacks.

The emphasis on such systems reflects the varying nature of warfare. Drones are indispensable tools for surveillance, reconnaissance, communication support, logistics and precision strikes. Fresh conflicts, including the brief military confrontation between India and Pakistan earlier this year and the continuing Russia-Ukraine war, have underscored how decisive drones can be on the battlefield.

Drawing lessons from these engagements, the Indian Army has been updating its operational doctrines and tactical concepts to integrate drones more deeply into combat roles. A series of field exercises has been conducted across wide-ranging terrains to test and refine the employment of unmanned platforms under realistic conditions.

Over the past few years, the Army has inducted a wide spectrum of drones, ranging from small hand-held tactical drones used by infantry units to larger, long-endurance systems capable of operating deep into enemy territory. These platforms have been integrated across arms and services, as well as for tasks such as delivering supplies in high-altitude and remote areas.

Simultaneously, the importance of indigenous development is growing. The Army, together with the other services, has been working closely with domestic industry and start-ups to design, develop and manufacture drones tailored to Indian operational requirements. In-house innovation, alongside enhanced training in drone warfare, is seen as critical to maintaining an edge in future conflicts.

The successful trial in Rajasthan highlights how this method is starting to yield tangible results, supporting the Army’s broader objective of technological self-dependence while acclimatizing to the realities of contemporary, technology-driven warfare.

Source: The Tribune