Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in India: Indian Army’s Roadmap for Next-Generation Drone Warfare

16 Apr 2026

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in India: Indian Army’s Roadmap for Next-Generation Drone Warfare

The Indian Army has unveiled a technology roadmap for Unmanned Aerial System and Loitering Munitions in New Delhi.

  • The event brought together key stakeholders from the armed forces, defence industry, start-ups and academia, reinforcing a whole of nation approach towards building a resilient and self- reliant drone ecosystem.

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What Are UAVs?

  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are aircraft that operate without a human pilot on board. 
  • They can be controlled remotely by an operator or operate autonomously using pre-programmed flight paths and AI-based navigation systems.

Unmanned Aerial Systems

Types of UAVs

  • Based on Size:
    • Micro and Nano UAVs: Small drones used for close-range surveillance (e.g., quadcopters).
    • Tactical UAVs: Medium-sized drones for military reconnaissance and border patrol.
    • Strategic/Combat UAVs: Large drones with long endurance and combat capabilities (e.g., MQ-9 Reaper, Bayraktar TB-2).
  • Based on Function:
    • Surveillance UAVs: Used for intelligence gathering and border security.
    • Combat UAVs (UCAVs): Armed drones that carry missiles and bombs for military strikes.
    • Logistics UAVs: Used to transport supplies, medicines, or weapons in remote areas.
    • Commercial UAVs: Used for photography, agriculture, and delivery services.
  • Based on Operational Range:
    • Short-Range UAVs: Can fly within a few kilometers, used for local reconnaissance.
    • Medium-Range UAVs: Operate within 100-300 km, commonly used for tactical missions.
    • Long-Endurance UAVs: Can stay airborne for 24 hours or more, used for strategic operations.

Key Features

  • Structured Development of Ecosystem: This initiative is a significant step towards providing long term visibility of the Indian Army’s requirement in the field of Unmanned Aerial Systems. 
  • Clear Guidance to Stakeholders: It provides clear, actionable visibility to industry, academia and research and development institutions to channelize investments and technological efforts towards priority areas identified by it.
  • Bridging Operational Gaps: The document serves as a critical bridge between operational requirements and technological development, ensuring that India’s drone ecosystem evolves in a structured, demand-driven manner.
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS): It emphasizes the development and deployment of UAS for roles such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and logistics support to enhance situational awareness and operational efficiency.
  • Loitering Munitions (Kamikaze Drones): It focuses on advancing loitering munitions capable of carrying out precision strikes with high accuracy, thereby improving targeted offensive capabilities.
  • Balance in Warfare: The roadmap highlights the need to achieve a balance between mass deployment of drones, such as swarm technologies, and precision targeting to adapt to the evolving nature of modern warfare.

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Significance

  • Changing Nature of Warfare: Modern conflicts, particularly drone-intensive wars, highlight a shift towards cost-effective warfare, reduced human risk, and enhanced real-time intelligence gathering capabilities.
  • Boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat: The roadmap contributes to Aatmanirbhar Bharat by reducing dependence on imports and promoting indigenous defence manufacturing and innovation.
  • Strengthening Defence Preparedness: The initiative enhances defence preparedness by improving surveillance capabilities, enabling precision strike abilities, and increasing overall tactical flexibility in military operations.

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