IAF to develop indigenous kamikaze drones in collaboration with Indian companies

A key feature of the programme is the IAF's intention to retain intellectual property rights (IPR) associated with it. Defence sources said this would ensure long-term operational flexibility and reduce dependence on external vendors for future enhancements.

In Short

• IAF floats limited tender for indigenous fixed-wing attack drones
• Sulur-based 5 Base Repair Depot will coordinate development programme
• IAF will retain Intellectual Property Rights of the project

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated a project to jointly develop indigenous long-range kamikaze drones with domestic industry partners, aiming to enhance self-reliance and gain greater control over future upgrades and modifications.

The IAF has issued a limited tender enquiry to select Indian companies for the development of fixed-wing, one-way attack unmanned aerial systems (OWA-UAS), commonly known as kamikaze drones. The project will be coordinated by the Air Force’s 5 Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Sulur, Coimbatore, which will act as the nodal agency.

Unlike conventional acquisition programmes where the armed forces define requirements and industry develops the product, the IAF will play a direct role in the design and development process. The move is expected to give the service greater flexibility in tailoring the platform to evolving operational requirements.

According to the technical requirements, the drone should be capable of operating at altitudes up to 16,000 feet, function in both day and night conditions, and carry a modular payload of at least 30 kg. The platform is expected to support multiple mission configurations, including precision-strike roles, airborne data relay functions and sensor-based missions.

The project also envisages a highly autonomous system capable of launch, waypoint navigation, loitering and mission execution with minimal human intervention. Depending on operational requirements, the drone may also incorporate return-to-base functionality where applicable.

A key feature of the programme is the IAF’s intention to retain intellectual property rights (IPR) associated with it. Defence sources said this would ensure long-term operational flexibility and reduce dependence on external vendors for future enhancements.

“Retaining ownership of the design and intellectual property will give the Air Force the ability to modify, upgrade and customise the system as operational needs evolve. It will provide a decisive edge by allowing faster capability enhancements without being constrained by vendor-controlled technologies,” a source familiar with the project said.

The IAF has also mandated that the project be designed, developed and manufactured in India, with preference for indigenous components and systems. The drone must be free from Chinese-origin technology, components and materials, reflecting the military’s continued push for secure and trusted supply chains.

The initiative aligns with the government’s broader Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India objectives and is expected to strengthen the domestic defence-industrial ecosystem while providing the IAF with a scalable and adaptable strike capability for future battlefields.

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