India's defence and aerospace company SMPP has entered into a teaming agreement with European defence firm KNDS to manufacture next-generation loitering munitions in India. The announcement was made at the Eurosatory exhibition on Thursday.
Alignment with Atmanirbhar Bharat
This partnership aligns with the Indian government's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, combining technology transfer with indigenous manufacturing. The loitering munitions include the VELOCE and RODEUR systems, along with the ISTAR family of drones, providing a highly effective search-and-destroy capability.
Advanced Capabilities
These systems can neutralise high-value threats with exceptional precision. They leverage a hybrid guidance system that integrates a multi-constellation Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver with an inertial navigation system (INS) to ensure accuracy across diverse terrains and combat environments. The fire-and-forget capability further enhances their effectiveness in complex operational scenarios, including precision strikes against strategic enemy assets.
Focus on Indian Army Requirements
Under the agreement, SMPP and KNDS will focus on offering these loitering munitions to the Indian Army under the Make-in-India framework. This initiative strengthens India's capability to address key operational requirements of the armed forces. The agreement comes at a time when the Indian Army has a significant and urgent requirement for advanced loitering munitions.
Previous Collaboration
SMPP and KNDS had earlier signed an agreement for the Katana range of precision-guided artillery ammunition on November 20, 2025, in Paris. Katana is a 155 mm precision-guided artillery munition designed to deliver exceptional accuracy and extended range while addressing the evolving operational requirements of modern artillery systems.
