Rise of Drone Warfare in the Region
In a dramatic shift, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have moved to the forefront of modern combat in South Asia. After India struck terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, there was a counteroffensive. Hundreds of drones targeted Indian defence and civil assets. Though neutralized, the attacks signaled the dawn of drone warfare in the region—once confined to Europe and the Middle East.
Lessons from Global Conflicts
The Indian military’s interest in UAVs intensified after the 2019 drone strikes on Saudi Aramco and the 2020 U.S. drone assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. These incidents highlighted the strategic potential and vulnerabilities associated with drone technology. Ongoing conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and the Caucasus, have further demonstrated drones’ capability to shape battle outcomes.
Building India’s Drone Ecosystem
India is rapidly expanding its indigenous drone capabilities through a synergy of defence PSUs and startups. Companies like Garuda Aerospace and Paras Defence are leading this charge. They focus on combat-grade UAVs with growing local content. They also work on sophisticated payload integration.
“Drones today must do more than surveil—they must engage targets and support complex missions,” says Garuda CEO Agnishwar Jayaprakash.
Hydrogen Drones and Indigenous Innovation
Paras Defence is testing hydrogen-fueled drones in collaboration with Israel’s Heven Drones. These UAVs promise longer flight times and heavier payloads, making them ideal for tactical and surveillance operations. The company has also proven counter-drone systems for various terrains and applications.
Strategic Milestones: Abhimanyu and CATS
Private-sector breakthrough Abhimanyu by NewSpace Research & Technologies is India’s first jet-powered, AI-enabled, swarm-capable drone. It is designed for deep-strike and high-speed missions. This drone complements the public sector’s CATS-Warrior by HAL. The CATS-Warrior is a stealth drone intended to operate as a “loyal wingman” to manned jets like Tejas.
Public Sector and Research Contributions
India’s public sector is making significant progress. This is evident from HAL’s optionally manned aircraft and rotary UAVs. It is also showcased in NAL’s hybrid VTOL drones and loitering munitions. CSIR-NAL is even preparing a High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) platform for continuous surveillance and telecom support.
Operation Sindoor: A Turning Point
The recent Operation Sindoor has catalyzed procurement and testing across the services. Field evaluations are underway for UAVs equipped for precision strikes, logistics, surveillance, and counter-UAS operations. The Army Chief recently reviewed progress at Babina, underlining urgency in modernising drone warfare capabilities.
Challenges in Scaling Up
Despite progress, challenges remain. Testing drones with explosive payloads is constrained by limited authorised ranges. The use of Chinese components has also caused procurement setbacks due to security concerns. Startups highlight the need for drone corridors, specialized ports, and clearer regulatory support.
Securing Strategic Assets
Firms like Indrajaal are developing AI-powered counter-drone systems tailored for critical infrastructure such as ports, power plants, and refineries. These systems are deployed at key sites like Pune airport. There is also a deployment at a naval base in Gujarat. They are becoming a cornerstone of India’s homeland defence.
Looking Ahead
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan, emphasized a key point. The future battlefield will demand drones equipped with anti-jamming tech. These drones will also need intelligent systems. With industry momentum and government backing, India’s drone strategy is shifting from reactive to proactive.
“This is not just about drones anymore,” concludes Jayaprakash. “It’s about national preparedness in a new era of warfare.”
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