SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a recent interaction with idrw.org, an Indian Air Force (IAF) official revealed that the IAF is planning to procure 8-9 squadrons of the Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) once it enters production. The Ghatak UCAV, currently under development by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is a key component of India’s efforts to enhance its autonomous warfare capabilities.
idrw.org recently reported that ADE and DRDO have commenced the fabrication of the 13-ton stealth UCAV, which is designed for covert operations behind enemy lines. The Ghatak will feature an internal weapons bay to carry a variety of payloads, including precision-guided munitions, enabling it to conduct surgical strikes while maintaining a low radar signature.
The platform will be powered by the Dry Kaveri engine, an indigenously developed jet engine optimized for unmanned applications. The Ghatak UCAV is expected to achieve the following milestones of Prototype Rollout by Early 2028 with the Late 2030s, contingent on successful trials and user acceptance.
The Ghatak UCAV will play a crucial role in the IAF’s modernization plans by enabling autonomous combat operations in hostile environments thanks to its Low radar cross-section for penetration into heavily defended airspace along with Advanced AI-driven systems for navigation, target identification, and strike capabilities that are Ideal for missions such as deep strikes, suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD), and intelligence-gathering behind enemy lines.
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