India’s Ghatak reboot: Rs 39,000 crore stealth drone project gets green light

New Delhi: Indian Air Force's plan to acquire unmanned stealth fighters is set to open a Rs 39,000 crore opportunity for domestic industry, with the defence ministry approving a collaboration model involving private sector partners.Under the Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft (RPSA) programme, earlier known as Ghatak, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will adopt a development-cum-production partner (DCPP) model. It will invite bids from industry to build six prototypes at an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 crore.

Following prototype development, orders will be placed for serial production of over 60 unmanned stealth fighters, enough to form four squadrons. The numbers are expected to rise as the military shifts towards unmanned warfare. The aircraft are targeted to be ready for induction in eight years.

Aligned with the government's push to reduce import dependence, RPSA is expected to have more than 80% indigenous content and will be capable of deploying a range of locally developed weapons. These are likely to include future versions of Astra long-range air-to-air missiles and next-generation air-to-ground systems being developed by DRDO. The aircraft, similar in size to fighter jets, will be powered by a jet engine and feature stealth characteristics.


The programme is being developed alongside the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, with the two platforms expected to operate together as part of manned-unmanned teaming - one of the key goals of Vision 2047. The development model mirrors that of the AMCA programme, for which Tata Advanced Systems, Bharat Forge and Larsen & Toubro have been shortlisted. Formal tenders to select industry partners for the RPSA project are expected shortly.