Context:
With warfare evolving toward unmanned and AI-driven combat systems, Indian defence is rapidly integrating drones for surveillance, attack, logistics, and battlefield intelligence. Amid geopolitical tensions and modern security threats, Indian private firms are playing a key role in self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence.
Key Highlights / Details
Technological Advancements in Indian Drones
- Indian firms developing loitering munitions (suicide drones), Kamikaze FPV strike drones, surveillance UAVs, and SAR radar-equipped drones.
- New drones built for terrain mapping, anti-jamming operations, swarm attacks, tracking moving targets, and precision strikes.
- Integration of AI-based navigation, remote sensing (LIDAR), GPS-denied operation, night vision, & automated mission execution.
Major Indian Drone Makers Featured
| Company | Focus Area | Key Capability |
| Sagar Defense Engineering | Defence drones | Loitering munitions |
| ZUPPA Geo Navigation | AI + GPS navigation | GPS-less navigation system |
| AeroArmor | Battlefield drone swarms | High-endurance tactical UAVs |
| Aarav Unmanned Systems (AUS) | Mapping and Industry | Survey-grade drones |
| SISIR Radar | SAR radar drones | High-resolution imaging |
| Paras Defence & Space Tech | Defence manufacturing | Laser guidance, AI integration |
| NewSpace Research | Swarm drone warfare | AI drone swarm for IAF |
Strategic Defence Use Cases
- Border surveillance along LAC and LoC
- Counter-terror operations
- High-altitude reconnaissance
- Maritime security missions
- Drone swarms for Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) missions
- Search & Rescue (SAR) in disaster zones
Government Support
- Boost from Make in India + iDEX–DIO (Innovation for Defence Excellence) programme
- Import bans on foreign drones to promote domestic manufacturing
- DRDO partnerships and Indian Air Force (IAF) swarm drone project
- Inclusion in Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 for domestic procurement
Relevant Prelims Points
- Loitering munitions – drones that track and strike targets using autonomous navigation.
- FPV Drones – First-Person View high-precision strike drones.
- SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) – provides terrain imaging through clouds, fog, and night operations.
- Swarm Drones – AI-linked group of drones that operate collaboratively.
- IDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) – encourages defence startups.
Relevant Mains Points
| Dimension | Analysis |
| Importance | Enhances India’s asymmetric warfare capability |
| National Security | Essential for modern border surveillance & counter-insurgency |
| Economy | Boost to defence manufacturing under Atmanirbhar Bharat |
| Technology | Integration of AI + unmanned systems |
| Challenges | Import dependence on motors, sensors, batteries |
| Way Forward | Scale R&D, export ecosystem, anti-drone shield, skill training |