Insights on Military Drones

Indegenous Drone Autonomous Drones

DRDO's Ghatak Combat Drone Programme Gathers Pace; 60 Units Planned

India’s indigenous stealth flying-wing combat drone programme received a boost, with the Defence Procurement Board of the Defence Ministry recommending that the proposal to procure 60 Ghatak combat drones, currently under development by DRDO, be approved. The programme is waiting for approval from the Defence Acquisition Council. Ghatak is a stealth drone, based on a flying-wing configuration. It is intended for low radar cross-section and internal weapon carriage. Once operational, Ghatak could participate in deep-strike missions to hit high-value targets without risking pilots' lives. Operating autonomously or alongside manned aircraft, it could also destroy enemy air defences, such as radar stations and missile systems and strike strategic infrastructure with precision-guided munitions. In November, while disclosing that the Indian Air Force had drawn up a technology and capability road map titled “Vision 2047”, Chief of the Air Staff A P Singh had said unmanned systems will not fully replace manned fighter jets in the near future. However, he emphasized that the Air Force fully backed the Ghatak UCAV programme. On December 15, 2023, DRDO conducted a flight trial of the “Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator”, described in an official release as an indigenous high-speed flying-wing UAV. The demonstrator was a precursor to the Ghatak UCAV. The trial, carried out in a tailless configuration at the Aeronautical Test Range in Karnataka’s Chitradurga, was described as marking India’s entry into an “elite club of states to have mastered the controls for the flying-wing technology”. The drone, designed and developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment, also demonstrated autonomous landing without the requirement for ground radars, infrastructure or pilot intervention, allowing takeoff and landing from any runway with surveyed coordinates. The drone’s maiden flight took place in July 2022. The prototype is made of an indigenously developed carbon composite material, with the structure laden with sensors for health monitoring. Source: Business Standard

Saheel Singh 10 Mar 2026

Army Drones Military Drones

Indian Army to Induct Dedicated Drone Platoons Across Combat Units

The Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, General on 26 th February 2026, said the Indian Army is raising dedicated 'Ashin' drone platoons across infantry, artillery and armoured regiments to reinforce drone warfare competencies. According to the CO, specialized 'Bhairav' units will be tasked with deep operations in hostile territory, adding that the Army has rationalized its formations to recognize the growing standing of drones in contemporary warfare. He said that drone use is extremely important. Therefore, drone usage is being integrated across all units, right down to the smallest sub-units. The dedicated 'Ashin' drone platoons within infantry battalions have been created and similar specialized platoons will be raised in every regiment. Stressing operational readiness, he said that future conflicts might need swift action to protect troops and conduct precision strikes. These specialized battalions will further enhance the Army’s strike capability and special operations capability.   In the near future, small, agile teams that can operate independently and penetrate deep into enemy territory will be required, and the 'e Bhairav' units will be employed for processes deep inside enemy territories. Lt Gen Katiyar also revealed that most drones on display were manufactured in Western Command workshops. The Western Command has started fabricating drones within the Army itself and is producing them on a large scale. The Western Command understands its operational requirements and technology needs and can build them more efficiently in its workshops. Talking about Operation Sindoor, the Army Commander repeated that India had targeted terrorist bases, and when retaliated against, struck military and air bases in response.   Source: Business Standard

Saheel Singh 27 Feb 2026

Indian Navy Defence Drones

Indian Navy to Get Next-Gen Aerial Target Drones to Boost Air Defence Training

The Defence Ministry has issued a request for information for next-gen expendable aerial target drones as the Indian Navy is on the lookout to improve at-sea training against fast, low-flying threats such as anti-ship missiles and hostile drones. The proposed system, formally designated the Expendable Aerial Target, will be used in live-fire exercises to replicate the speed, flight profile and manoeuvres of contemporary sea-skimming missiles. Unlike reusable drones, these targets will be destroyed during training engagements, offering naval crews with realistic combat scenarios for missile and gun systems. The RFI comes as India’s indigenous target drone programme gathers momentum. The DRDO’s high-speed target drone, Abhyas, has already completed developmental and user trials and entered mass production, marking an important step in expanding domestic capability in this segment. Demanding performance requirements As stated by the RFI, the Navy is on the lookout for a target which can fly at a speed of at least 300 metres per second at low altitude, roughly Mach 0.87, while staying in the air for about an hour. The drone should fly as low as 5 metres above sea level and climb at a rate of at least 20 metres per second. For realistically simulating modern anti-ship threats, the platform must also perform sustained turns of up to 2G. Remote radio control should extend to 100 kilometres from the ground control station. At the same time, the system should also support fully autonomous flight on pre-programmed routes, such as mid-course changes in speed and altitude. The ground control station should be managing at least 6 targets simultaneously. In the event of a data-link failure, the system must be recoverable and consistent with the user’s programme requirements. The drone will have a low radar cross-section by default, with provisions to increase its radar signature using transponders or corner reflectors when needed for training scenarios. For post-engagement analysis, the target should carry an acoustic miss-distance indicator capable of detecting incoming fire, from 20 mm naval guns to surface-to-air missiles, within 10 metres. Operational flexibility is another important requirement. The drone should be launchable from ships or shore facilities using rocket-assisted takeoff and must operate in conditions up to sea state 3 and winds of 30 knots. After ditching at sea, it should be afloat long enough to be recovered by boat or helicopter. The system's service life is about 15 years. Push for indigenization The RFI also underlines India’s broader push for defence self-reliance. The ministry has asked vendors whether the system can be supplied under the “Buy Indian–IDDM” category, which requires over 50% indigenous content, or under the “Buy Indian” category, which requires over 60% local content, in accordance with the provisions of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020. Strengthening Fleet Air Defence The need for these drones arises with the Indian Navy looking to expand its fleet and strengthen operational readiness. Indian warships position a few surface-to-air missile systems, such as the Barak-8, which require periodic live-fire validation against realistic aerial targets. With INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya in service and naval deployments increasing across the Indian Ocean region, upholding crew proficiency in countering fast, low-altitude threats have become a priority. The induction of next-gen expendable aerial targets will significantly enhance the realism and frequency of such training. Source: Bharat Shakti

Saheel Singh 25 Feb 2026

Defence Drones Military Drones

After Operation Sindoor, India Starts Working On First Dedicated Drone Runway In Meerut

Following Operation Sindoor, a key security upgrade that demonstrated how contemporary warfare is changing in real time, India will acquire its first dedicated drone runway to keep a hawk-eye in the sky. The Indian Army will have this base of more than 900 acres in Meerut. The Border Roads Organization, under the Defence Ministry, has initiated the process to construct a dedicated military aviation base for High-Altitude Long-Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft. The BRO has requested bids for Project Management Consultancy services for the Rs 406-crore project. The base will feature a 2,110-metre-long, 45-metre-wide runway, intended not only for drones but also for transport aircraft in the C-295 and C-130 classes. The runway will have ICAO CAT-II-compliant lighting and contemporary navigational aids, allowing operations even in low visibility. Two large hangars, each 60 by 50 metres, will house aircraft and RPAs, enabling maintenance and rapid deployment. The scale of planned activity is substantial. The facility will support the movement of heavy aircraft annually, accompanied by about 1,500 RPA operations, roughly four drone sorties per day. During Operation Sindoor, drones were widely used for surveillance, reconnaissance and precision targeting. Military planners observed how sustained drone operations improved situational awareness while minimizing risk to personnel. Lessons from such operations have reinforced the significance of dedicated infrastructure to sustain high-tempo unmanned missions. HALE RPAs, particularly, are intended to stay airborne at high altitudes for long durations, providing instantaneous intelligence across vast stretches of terrain. In border situations, that endurance can mean the difference between reacting to events and anticipating them. The Meerut base stretches across 85 months. 7 months are owed for pre-award planning and DPR preparation, followed by 18 months of supervised construction. A two-year defect liability period and 3 years of maintenance oversight will guarantee operational readiness over time. The base will not just be an airstrip; it will be a strategic nerve centre. And in Meerut, the steady drone engines may soon become a reminder that the future of defence is increasingly unmanned, data-driven and persistent in the skies. Source: News 18

Saheel Singh 16 Feb 2026

Indian Army Defence Drones

Indian Army Ties up with US Drone Company that Made its Name in the Ukraine Conflict

A deal was signed by the Indian Army with Shield AI, an American defence technology company, to procure the V-BAT unmanned aerial system, which will be mass-produced in India. Shield AI’s V-BAT is a Group 3 UAV that can take off and land vertically without runways or launch infrastructure. With a heavy-fuel engine, the aircraft has an air time of more than 12 hours and operates in environments with weak communications and GPS signals. Under the agreement, Shield AI will offer V-BAT VToL drones, along with licenses to its exclusive autonomy software, Hivemind. The software will be integrated into the aircraft and made accessible to select Indian partners, allowing local expansion of autonomous military systems tailored to India’s operational requirements. “India’s selection of V-BAT and Hivemind echoes a clear understanding of the kind of strong, expeditionary autonomy contemporary militaries now need,” Sarjan Shah, Shield AI’s MD for India, said in a statement. He added that the aircraft’s ability to operate without runways and deliver long-endurance intelligence made it well-suited to India’s varied geography. The company has partnered with India’s JSW Defence, which, in December 2025, began construction of a manufacturing facility at EMC Maheshwaram, Hyderabad. This USD 90 million investment will enable significant production of V-BATs in India to meet the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces and establish it as a global production hub. Before India, the company signed a deal with the Japanese Navy on 22 January, calling the Japanese Navy “a significant ally in the Indo-Pacific region and critical in the regional deterrence efforts”. From Ukraine to the Middle East Shield AI is part of a new generation of US defence startups focused on AI and autonomy rather than traditional weapons manufacturing. The company’s first product, a small autonomous quadcopter named Nova, was designed to enter buildings and tunnels ahead of soldiers to gather intelligence. While that system saw usage in West Asia, it was used in October 2023 by Israeli forces to explore Hamas’ tunnel network below the Gaza Strip. The V-BAT has gained recognition, in part due to its performance in Ukraine. Shield AI spent much of 2024 integrating Hivemind into the aircraft. According to the company, V-BAT drones have conducted dozens of missions in Ukraine, helping recognize hundreds of targets. In 2025, the drones executed more than 35 missions and recognized over 200 Russian targets in the warzone. The company now operates across the US, Europe, West Asia and the APAC and produces aircraft at a production site outside Dallas. The partnership with India marks an international expansion to date, combining foreign technology transfer with local manufacturing and software development. The deal aligns with broader efforts to modernize its military and reduce dependence on imports, mainly in unmanned systems and AI, reshaping modern warfare. Source: The Week

Saheel Singh 29 Jan 2026

Defence Drones Military Drones

India Buys Belarus-Made Berkut-BM Attack Drones

India has acquired dozens of Belarus-made Berkut-BM one-way attack drones. The Berkut-BM is a kamikaze drone developed by the Indela company in Belarus and intended to strike time-sensitive battlefield targets before they can relocate. The system has compact, Chinese-made micro turbojet engines from Swiwin, giving the drone high dash speed and short engagement times that decrease the window for interception. Technical data for the platform demonstrates that the Berkut-BM can reach speeds of up to 410 kilometres per hour, with an operational range of about 150 kilometres, contingent on the mission profile and altitude. The drone is optimized for swift ingress, terminal dive and precision impact against fixed or relocatable targets. The drone carries a 10kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead envisioned for use against radar installations, missile batteries, artillery positions and logistics nodes. Its strike profile is customized for missions where targets must be demolished quickly. The Berkut-BM is a product of a catapult, allowing deployment from forward areas lacking permanent infrastructure. This lets mobile and concealed launch operations, offering field commanders superior flexibility to position launch sites closer to the line of contact. Belarus has previously exported these drones to Venezuela, Russia, Algeria, and the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces. The system is a low-priced alternative to cruise missiles for targeting high-value assets. The reported Indian acquisition comes as loitering munitions and one-way attack drones will reform battlefield operations, primarily in conflicts where air defence systems are under continuous pressure from saturation attacks. Jet-powered drones are a subcategory of this category, ensuring endurance for speed and reduced reaction time for the defence systems. India has extended its drone portfolio, integrating both foreign and domestic systems into its armed forces. The acquisition of Berkut-BM drones would place a moving weaponry in conjunction with India’s existing inventory of propeller-driven systems and precision-guided weapons. Source: Military Watch Magazine

Saheel Singh 21 Jan 2026

Operation Sindoor Nagastra

An Advanced Nagastra Drone Used in Operation Sindoor has been Developed

An advanced version of the Nagastra drone, extensively used during Operation Sindoor, has been developed.   The Nagpur-based Solar Defence and Aerospace Plant, which developed Nagastra, has also developed ‘Bhargavastra’, a micro-missile-based system, and conducted a successful test launch. The government is focusing on ensuring that the private sector’s contribution to defence manufacturing reaches 50% or more in the near future. The Nagastra drone advanced by this group was successfully deployed. This drone struck those who harboured ill intentions towards our country. Nagastra-1 is a suicide drone, made for searching and destroying any target by crashing into it. Bhargavastra, instead, is India's first indigenous, low-cost counter-drone system, developed to neutralize hostile drone swarms using micro-rockets and guided micro-missiles, featuring radar detection up to 6 km and engagement up to 2.5 km. The new facility is a fully automated plant manufacturing 30mm ammunition, which the Indian Army and Navy extensively use. Rajnath also visited the Pinaka rocket manufacturing facility and flagged off the first tranche of guided Pinaka rockets bound for Armenia. Operation Sindoor lasted for around 88 hours, but the intensity of those 88 hours couldn’t be described in words. In such operations, every minute, every decision and every resource is vital. Today, there are various kinds of wars. Warfare is becoming increasingly complex and intense. In such a situation, preparation for war is crucial. There was a time when ammunition shortages hampered India’s defence readiness, prompting the government to realize the need to become self-reliant. Commending the contribution of private enterprises in making the defence sector ‘Aatmanirbhar’, the nation is steadily marching forward in ammunition production, manufacturing quality and the production of dependable products. “In such a situation, increased participation of the private sector in manufacturing and R&D is the need of the hour. Source: Times of India

Saheel Singh 20 Jan 2026

Army Drones Defence Drones

Army Chief Outlines India's Mega Drone Push: 5,000 per Command, 100 km Strike Range

India's Army chief said on 13 th January 2026 that Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations has been asked to rein in what the government views as recurring drone intrusions across the border. Speaking at the annual press conference, General Upendra Dwivedi said the issue had been raised with his Pakistani counterpart and was conveyed as intolerable. Addressing the media, the Army chief also outlined India's push to significantly scale up its drone competencies in preparation for future conflicts. He said the Army has decided to manufacture as many drones as possible in-house, with every command either already producing or able to produce about 5,000 drones. These are not small platforms. India has already test-fired drones with a range of around 100 km and plans to spread this further. General Dwivedi also referred to recent drone sightings in the Nowshera sector along the LOC in Jammu. He said 3 to 5 drones were spotted on the evening of 11th January 2026, with additional sightings over the following days. As he stated, about six drones were observed on January 10 and two to three on January 11 and 12. The Army chief labelled these as small drones flying with lights switched on and at relatively low altitudes, appearing only intermittently. He said the assessment was that these will be defensive drones, perhaps deployed to test India's responses or probe for vulnerabilities that could be exploited to push terrorists across the border. Though he added that the outcome for the other side would have been clear, as the Indian Army is fully alert with no gaps or laxity along the frontier. General Dwivedi confirmed that the issue was discussed in a DGMO-level conversation held earlier in the day, throughout which Pakistan was told clearly that such drone activity would not be tolerated and must be stopped immediately. Source: MoneyControl

Saheel Singh 14 Jan 2026

Drone Training Drone Defence

From Drones to Missiles, An Indigenous Air Defence System will be Deployed in the Capital to Monitor Every Threat

Given the recent escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, the need to further strengthen the capital's strategic security was felt. In response, a decision has been made to deploy a new indigenously developed air defence system to protect Delhi-NCR from potential aerial threats, including drones, fighter aircraft, and missiles. This system will be based entirely on indigenous technology. DRDO and IAF to Jointly Develop IADWS India is developing the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organization. The Indian Air Force will command and operate this system. It will utilize two major indigenous weapon systems: the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile and the Very Short-Range Air Defense System. Together, the system will be able to target and destroy any high-speed aircraft, enemy missiles, or advanced drones approaching the capital.   Source: Zee News

Saheel Singh 10 Dec 2025