SOURCE: AFI
The recent Plans for the acquisition of 31 MQ-9 UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) from General Atomics by the Indian armed forces signals a major shift in India’s drone capabilities. Despite the ongoing efforts of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to indigenize drone development, particularly through its TAPAS UAV (Tactical Airborne Platform for Aerial Surveillance-Beyond Horizon 201), a combination of technical limitations and engine deficiencies forced India to look elsewhere for a more capable solution.
Y. Dilip, Director of the public sector Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), highlighted a crucial factor that hindered the development of India’s TAPAS UAV. As he put it, “Primarily, we were constrained by the engines.” This constraint, compounded by several other factors, limited the TAPAS platform’s performance, particularly in areas critical for modern military operations.
Challenges in the TAPAS Program
The TAPAS UAV, originally intended to serve as an indigenously developed medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAV, has faced numerous obstacles throughout its development. One of the most pressing issues has been the lack of an appropriate engine to power the UAV to its full potential. This engine-related challenge has hampered the drone’s endurance, limiting its ability to stay airborne for extended durations—an area where platforms like the MQ-9 Reaper excel.
In addition to the engine problem, the TAPAS UAV also suffers from several capability gaps compared to its international competitors. These gaps include:
- Endurance: The TAPAS lacks the ability to match the MQ-9B Reaper’s impressive endurance, which can exceed 40 hours in continuous flight. This limitation is critical in military operations where sustained surveillance or prolonged missions are necessary.
- SATCOM Capability: One of the key advantages of modern UAVs like the MQ-9 is their SATCOM (Satellite Communication)-enabled capabilities, which allow for real-time communication and data transfer over vast distances. The TAPAS, unfortunately, lacks this feature, severely restricting its operational range and situational awareness in real-time combat scenarios.
- Altitude Ceiling: The altitude ceiling of the TAPAS is also limited when compared to the MQ-9, which can operate at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet. This gives the MQ-9 an edge in terms of operational flexibility and survivability in contested environments.
Due to these limitations, the Indian armed services and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) felt the need to turn to a more capable and reliable platform, which ultimately led to the acquisition of the MQ-9 UAVs from General Atomics.
Despite initial promise, the TAPAS program has not been able to bridge the gap between indigenous aspirations and practical capabilities. Earlier this year, DRDO officially closed the TAPAS as a “mission-mode” project, effectively acknowledging that the platform would not meet the immediate needs of the armed forces. While this does not signify an end to India’s efforts in developing indigenous UAVs, it highlights the challenges involved in catching up with more advanced foreign systems like the MQ-9.
Going forward, the focus for DRDO and ADE will likely shift towards overcoming the technological and industrial bottlenecks that plagued the TAPAS, particularly in areas like engine development, communication systems, and long-range capabilities. Collaboration with private industry players may be key to ensuring that India can eventually field its own MALE UAV systems without having to rely on foreign suppliers.