Indian Army Unveils Technology Roadmap for Drones and Loitering Munitions

The Indian Army on Monday unveiled a comprehensive technology roadmap detailing its requirements for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and loitering munitions , underlining the increasing role of drones in modern warfare. The nearly 50-page document, prepared for industry and academia , specifies 30 types of UAS and loitering munitions across five categories , amounting to nearly 80 variants .

The categories include surveillance drones , loitering munitions , UAS in air defence roles , special-role UAS , and logistics drones . Surveillance platforms range from high-altitude long endurance (HALE) to medium-altitude long endurance (MALE) types, while loitering munitions include low-range, swarm drones, and low-cost strike drones. Air defence systems cover drone-on-drone and anti-swarm drones, with other categories addressing specialised operational and logistical needs.

Addressing the launch event, Lt Gen Rahul R Singh , Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance), stressed the sensitive nature of the document, urging stakeholders not to share it with unauthorised parties, citing potential interest from Pakistan and China . He highlighted the rapidly evolving nature of modern warfare , referencing conflicts in Russia-Ukraine , Armenia-Azerbaijan , and West Asia , where drones have introduced asymmetric advantages.

Lt Gen Singh pointed to the deployment of Iran-made Shahed-136 drones and the US LUCAS (Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System) in West Asia, emphasising the need for India to operate as a “well-oiled machine” in any future conflict.

The document, titled “Indian Army’s Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems & Loitering Munitions” , provides detailed specifications including equipment type, life cycle, quantity, and variants, and was prepared with assistance from the Drone Federation India (DFI). Representatives from SIDM, FICCI, defence industry, and R&D organisations attended the launch, highlighting a troika partnership between the army, industry, and academia.

Officials urged the industry to compete while collaborating , secure supply chains, develop niche solutions, and adhere to timelines. The roadmap builds on lessons from Operation Sindoor (2025), reinforcing the strategic imperative of indigenously developed UAS and counter-UAS (C-UAS) systems tailored for Indian terrain.

Senior officials noted that this is the first time the army has shared such specifications publicly , reflecting the importance of drones and loitering munitions in ensuring India’s operational readiness and self-reliance in modern warfare.