India’s Ministry of Defence is planning to acquire long-range ship-launched loitering munitions for the Indian Navy, aiming to give warships a relatively low-cost option for striking targets at considerable distances.
Drones To Bridge Capability Gap
The proposed drones are intended to fill the gap between reconnaissance UAVs and precision-guided missiles.
After being launched from a naval vessel, the drones would be capable of searching for targets over land and sea before carrying out a dive attack. The Navy is looking for systems with an operational range of at least 1,000 kilometres and a loitering endurance of nine hours or more.
High Speed And Long Range
The planned systems are expected to have a cruising speed of more than 75 knots and a terminal dive speed exceeding 200 knots.
The drones would also need to operate at altitudes of up to 15,000 feet while maintaining a low radar cross-section to make detection by adversaries more difficult.
Day And Night Target Detection
For target identification, the drones are expected to use electro-optical and infrared sensors.
This combination would allow the systems to use conventional cameras during daylight and infrared imaging in low-light or nighttime conditions.
Autonomous Operations
Another key requirement is autonomous navigation. The drones should be capable of following their planned routes without continuous commands from an operator, allowing them to operate in contested or hostile areas.
If communication with the operator is lost, the system would be required to return to the last known location of its control terminal or identify a safe location for self-termination to prevent unintended movement into other areas.
The drones are also expected to support the transfer of control between different naval vessels or land-based operators.
Growing Role In Naval Warfare
India’s interest in ship-launched autonomous loitering munitions reflects a broader shift in naval warfare, with several countries exploring unmanned systems for surveillance and precision strikes.
The growing use of such drones in recent conflicts has highlighted their ability to provide long-range strike capabilities at a lower cost than some conventional missiles while reducing the need to expose military personnel to direct danger.
For the Indian Navy, the proposed system could add another layer to its long-range surveillance and strike capabilities and provide warships with greater flexibility in responding to emerging threats.
