Why in News
The Indian Army released a comprehensive 50-page “Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Loitering Munitions” at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on April 8, 2026. The document was released by Lt Gen Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy). It outlines requirements for 30 UAS types across approximately 80 variants in five operational categories, signalling the Army’s intent to indigenise drone capabilities and directing future procurement and design priorities.
Five Operational Categories
| Category | Role | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Surveillance UAS | Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) | HALE (High Altitude Long Endurance), MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) |
| 2. Loitering Munitions | Precision strike, kamikaze drones | Nagastra-1, SkyStrike |
| 3. Air-Defence UAS | Counter-UAS (C-UAS), drone intercept | Anti-drone systems, jamming |
| 4. Special-Role UAS | Electronic warfare, psychological ops, decoys | EW payloads |
| 5. Logistics UAS | Last-mile supply in inaccessible terrain | Heavy-lift cargo drones |
Key Concepts from the Roadmap
UAS Classes Referenced
| Class | Altitude Range | Endurance | Army Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| HALE | >15,000 m | >24 hours | Strategic ISR |
| MALE | 5,000–15,000 m | 12–24 hours | Operational surveillance |
| Mini/Micro UAS | <500 m | <2 hours | Tactical platoon-level |
| FPV (First-Person View) | Very low | <30 min | Urban warfare, precision strike |
| Swarm Drones | Various | Various | Saturation attack/defence |
MUM-T — Manned–Unmanned Teaming
A key concept in the roadmap where piloted aircraft (helicopters or fighters) coordinate with UAS to extend ISR reach and precision strike capability. Used by the US in Apache-Grey Eagle teaming; India’s ALH Dhruv and future IMRH are candidate platforms.
Context — Why Drones Have Become Critical
Lessons from Recent Conflicts
- Nagorno-Karabakh (2020): Azerbaijan’s Bayraktar TB2 drones decisively defeated Armenian armour — the first major confirmation of loitering munitions’ battlefield dominance.
- Ukraine-Russia War (2022–present): Both sides use FPV kamikaze drones at scale; drones now account for majority of battlefield strikes.
- Israel-Gaza: Israel’s use of ISR + strike drones for precision targeting.
These conflicts reshaped global military doctrine, accelerating India’s drone ambitions.
India’s Previous Drone Procurement
| Platform | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Heron (surveillance) | Israel | Inducted |
| Rustom-2 / TAPAS | India (DRDO) | Under trials |
| Nagastra-1 loitering munition | India (Solar Industries) | Inducted (Army) |
| MQ-9B Predator (HALE) | USA | Contract signed (₹32,000 crore) |
| Drishti-10 Starliner | India | Inducted (Navy, Coast Guard) |
Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Drones
Government Initiatives
| Policy / Scheme | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drone Rules 2021 | Liberal framework for civilian + military drone operations |
| Production Linked Incentive (PLI) for Drones | ₹120 crore PLI scheme for Indian drone manufacturers |
| Drone Shakti | Initiative to promote drone startups via iDEX and DPIIT |
| iDEX (Innovation for Defence Excellence) | Challenges for startups — DIC (Defence India Challenges) for UAS |
| Positive Indigenisation List | Specific UAS types on the list — import ban, only domestic procurement |
Defence Export Potential
- India exported loitering munitions (Nagastra-1) to a friendly country in 2025 — first such export.
- DRDO’s Archer loitering munition in development.
- Economic Survey 2025–26 highlighted drones as a key dual-use technology for export growth.
Counter-UAS (C-UAS) — The Other Side
The roadmap also addresses defence against adversary drones:
- Electromagnetic jamming (disrupts GPS/control links)
- Hard-kill systems (directed energy weapons, missiles)
- Drone detection (radar, acoustic sensors, RF scanners)
- Netting and physical barriers at critical installations
India’s Integrated Air Defence network is being upgraded to handle the drone threat, including from Pakistan’s growing UAS inventory (TB2, Shahpar-2).
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper 3 — Security
- Internal and external security — drone warfare as disruptive technology
- Indigenisation in defence — Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Positive Indigenisation Lists
- Cyber-electronic warfare nexus with UAS
Mains Linkages
- “Drones are the new cavalry” — discuss implications for India’s security doctrine
- Role of private sector in defence manufacturing (iDEX, PLI, DPSUs vs. private OEMs)
- MUM-T as a force multiplier
Facts Corner
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Document length | 50 pages |
| UAS types covered | 30 types, ~80 variants |
| Operational categories | 5 (Surveillance, Loitering Munitions, Air Defence, Special Role, Logistics) |
| Released by | Lt Gen Rahul R Singh, DCOAS (Strategy) |
| Venue | Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi |
| Key concepts | HALE, MALE, FPV, Swarm, MUM-T |
| India’s inducted loitering munition | Nagastra-1 (Solar Industries) |
| HALE drone procured from USA | MQ-9B Predator (₹32,000 crore) |
| PLI for drones | ₹120 crore |
| India drone export | Nagastra-1 (first export, 2025) |
