IAF launches project to produce indigenous long-range kamikaze drones

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched a major project to jointly develop long-range kamikaze drones with domestic partners, aimed at strengthening preparedness for drone-centric warfare in the future. The initiative is focused on building a fully indigenous ecosystem for the design, development, manufacturing and sustainment of one-way attack unmanned aerial systems (OWA-UAS), according to Chaitanya Marpakwar's Times of India report.

Under the programme, the IAF has issued a limited tender inviting Indian companies to participate in the development of these self-sacrificing unmanned aerial vehicles, which are designed to fly to target areas, identify enemy positions and detonate on impact. The tender calls for “invitation of bids for indigenous design, development, setting up of manufacturing facilities and training for unmanned aerial systems”.

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To promote self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in defence production, the project will be handled by the 5 Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Sulur near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, which has been designated as the nodal agency. The platforms are to be designed, developed and manufactured entirely in India with the help of domestic companies and startups.

As per specifications, the IAF will retain Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of the drone system. The kamikaze drones are expected to operate up to 16,000 feet and function in both day and night conditions, enabling faster upgrades, modifications and operational customisation as per requirements.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently said recent global conflicts are proof that drones and counter-drone technologies will play a decisive role in future warfare, making self-reliance in this domain essential.

Meanwhile, the defence ministry has received 10 bids from Indian private and public sector firms for a ₹30,000 crore programme to procure 87 medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles for the IAF. The bids were submitted on the last day of the tender process. The project, cleared last year, aims to equip the force with drones for surveillance, reconnaissance and strike capabilities.

(With TOI inputs)