The Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to develop long-range 'kamikaze' drones indigenously in collaboration with the industry, marking a significant departure from its traditional approach of relying on imported systems.
New Tender Enquiry Issued
On June 12, the IAF issued a limited tender enquiry to selected Indian companies, specifying that the kamikaze drone must be indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured. The IAF's 5 Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Sulur, Coimbatore, will serve as the nodal agency for the project.
Shift in Procurement Strategy
This direct involvement of the IAF in equipment manufacturing is a notable shift from the usual practice, where the IAF defines specifications and leaves production to the industry. Under this project, the IAF intends to retain intellectual property rights (IPR), enabling future modifications, while the BRD can scale up production as needed, sources said.
Technical Specifications
The kamikaze drone, known in military terms as a 'one-way attack unmanned aerial system,' will be a fixed-wing platform capable of flying at 16,000 feet, operating day and night, and carrying a payload of at least 30 kg. The payload must be swappable to accommodate ammunition, airborne data relays, and sensors. A weapon solution will be jointly developed by the IAF and the industry, with preference given to local suppliers to promote 'Make in India' and boost domestic manufacturing.
No Chinese Technology
The drone must be built without any Chinese-origin technology or materials. The joint development will cover the airframe, which must withstand operational loads during launch, cruise, maneuvering, and recovery.
Autonomous Flight Capabilities
The IAF aims to develop an autopilot system supporting fully autonomous flight operations, including launch, waypoint navigation, loitering, mission execution, and return-to-base capability. Additionally, the IAF requires comprehensive maintenance support infrastructure for the drone's flight controller, including hardware, software, and versions, with an indigenized supply chain at the buyer's premises.
Launch System
The drone must be launched from a static platform, with the launcher providing repeatable launch performance and supporting rapid deployment in field environments.
Current Capabilities
At present, the IAF operates the Israeli-origin 'Harop' system, which this indigenous project aims to supplement or eventually replace.
