As recent conflicts in various parts of the world have demonstrated that unmanned systems can influence battlefields at a much lower cost than conventional platforms, the Indian Army is increasingly focusing on enhancing its drone warfare capabilities. As part of this initiative, the Indian Army's Regiment of Artillery has begun the process of acquiring long-range, one-way attack drones, also known as kamikaze drones, that can strike targets up to 1,000 km away.
According to a report in The Economic Times, the Indian Army, under its Long-Range Loiter Munition (LRLM) project, has invited industry players to offer a drone system with AI-enabled targeting capabilities that can operate in GPS-denied environments.
The Indian Army reportedly wants a system that can fly above 5,000 metres and reach speeds of at least 400 kmph. Other requirements include the ability to carry a 25-kg warhead with a 50-metre kill radius, the report said.
The Army wants the procurement to be carried out under the Make-II clause of the acquisition policy, which stipulates that the industry will fund the research and development, while the Army will procure the system if it meets all the required specifications.
As the Indian Army operates in diverse terrains, including deserts, hilly terrain, forests and plains, the system must be designed to operate effectively across all these environments. The force also requires the entire ecosystem, which includes the launch vehicle, ground control station, aerial vehicles and a simulator, the report said.
The drones will be required to strike targets on steep, slant and nap-of-the-earth profiles and should be capable of carrying different warheads.
The Army will also assess the level of indigenous content in the drones and the possibility of gradually replacing imported components, if any, to build a self-reliant manufacturing ecosystem capable of rapidly scaling up production when required.
