In a decisive move to revolutionize India’s aerial warfare capabilities, the Ministry of Defence has greenlit the procurement of 150 indigenous ‘Ghatak’ Stealth Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). This ambitious project, spearheaded by the DRDO, marks a significant shift from the research phase to large-scale operational induction. As global conflicts highlight the supremacy of drone warfare, India is accelerating its efforts to field a formidable autonomous strike force.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Union Defence Minister, has formally cleared the requirement for these 150 Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft (RPSA). Out of this fleet, 100 units are earmarked for the Indian Army to bolster ground offensive capabilities, while 50 units will be inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) for deep-strike and Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) missions. The ‘Ghatak’ is designed with a sleek flying-wing configuration, making it nearly invisible to enemy radar systems.

Powered by a derivative of the indigenous ‘Kaveri’ jet engine, the Ghatak UCAV will feature an internal weapons bay capable of carrying precision-guided munitions. This eliminates the need for external pods, further enhancing its stealth profile. The project reached a major milestone in March 2026 with the DAC providing the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). These drones are expected to operate as “Loyal Wingmen” alongside manned fighters like the Tejas Mk2 and AMCA, taking on high-risk missions in contested airspaces without putting human pilots at risk. This induction is a cornerstone of India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, ensuring that the nation remains at the forefront of autonomous military technology.