SOURCE: AFI
In a striking display of technological ambition, India is emerging as a global leader in the development of collaborative drone concepts, a domain poised to redefine modern warfare. At Aero India 2025, held in Bengaluru from February 10-14, the country unveiled two groundbreaking unmanned platforms: the Abhimanyu Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) and the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior. These “loyal wingman” drones, designed to operate alongside manned fighter jets, signal India’s intent to master manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T)—a capability that its regional rival, the Pakistani Air Force (PAF), has yet to procure from its traditional ally China or develop domestically.
Developed by Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research and Technologies, the Abhimanyu CCA stole the spotlight at Aero India 2025. This jet-powered unmanned aerial system (UAS), with a 4-meter (13-foot) wingspan, is tailored for the Indian Navy’s Naval Collaborative Combat Air Vehicle (N-CCAV) program. What sets it apart is its ability to take off and land from aircraft carriers, integrating seamlessly with the Navy’s MiG-29K fighters and the anticipated Rafale-M fleet. With a range of 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) and a service ceiling of 20,000 feet, the Abhimanyu is initially focused on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, as well as air-to-surface strikes. Future upgrades promise air-to-air combat capabilities, transforming it into a versatile force multiplier.
The Abhimanyu’s compact design allows carriers to deploy multiple units, embracing an attritable warfare model where affordability and numbers outweigh the need for individual survivability. Backed by the Ministry of Defense’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, this platform exemplifies India’s push for indigenous innovation—a stark contrast to Pakistan’s reliance on foreign procurement.
While the Abhimanyu caters to naval needs, the CATS Warrior, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) answer to the loyal wingman concept. Unveiled as a full-scale prototype at Aero India 2025, this twin-engine unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) is designed to team with IAF fighters like the Tejas, Su-30 MKI, and Rafale. With a combat radius of 350-800 kilometers (depending on mission type) and a payload capacity of 650 kilograms, the CATS Warrior can perform reconnaissance, absorb enemy fire, or execute precision strikes—either returning to base or sacrificing itself in high-risk scenarios.
The CATS program, which includes the Warrior as its centerpiece, integrates advanced AI and stealth features, such as internal weapon bays housing DRDO’s Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW). A successful engine ground run in January 2025 marked a key milestone, with its maiden flight slated for later this year. This rapid progress underscores India’s commitment to building a networked, AI-driven air combat ecosystem—capabilities that Pakistan has yet to pursue.
While India accelerates its drone ambitions, the Pakistani Air Force appears to be lagging in the race for collaborative air systems. Historically reliant on China for military hardware—evident in its JF-17 Thunder jets and CH-4 reconnaissance drones—Pakistan has not signaled any intent to procure loyal wingman platforms like the Abhimanyu or CATS Warrior from its ally. China, despite its own advancements in UAV technology (e.g., the GJ-11 stealth drone), has not publicly offered such collaborative systems to Pakistan, focusing instead on conventional drones and manned fighters.
Nor has Pakistan shown evidence of developing indigenous platforms akin to India’s offerings. The PAF’s drone capabilities remain centered on ISR and limited strike roles, with systems like the Burraq and Shahpar-II, both of which lack the autonomy, carrier compatibility, or MUM-T integration of India’s new drones. This gap is striking, given Pakistan’s strategic need to counter India’s growing air and naval power in the region. Without investment in collaborative drone technology, the PAF risks falling behind in a domain that promises to dominate future conflicts.
The loyal wingman concept—where AI-driven drones act as expendable partners to manned aircraft—represents a paradigm shift in aerial warfare. These systems enhance situational awareness, extend sensor reach, and take on high-risk tasks, reducing the burden on human pilots. For India, the Abhimanyu and CATS Warrior address specific needs: bolstering carrier strike groups in the Indian Ocean and strengthening IAF squadrons amid regional tensions with China and Pakistan. Their modularity and cost-effectiveness also position India as a potential exporter, challenging Western and Chinese dominance in the UAV market.
Pakistan’s absence from this arena could weaken its deterrence posture. Collaborative drones offer an asymmetric advantage—cheap, scalable, and capable of overwhelming traditional defenses. Without similar platforms, the PAF may struggle to match India’s evolving tactics, especially in contested airspace or maritime domains.
India’s lead in collaborative drone technology isn’t just about hardware—it’s about doctrine and ecosystem. The Abhimanyu and CATS Warrior are products of a thriving domestic defense industry, fueled by initiatives like “Make in India” and iDEX. Partnerships between startups (NewSpace) and state giants (HAL) showcase a synergy that Pakistan has yet to replicate. Moreover, India’s focus on AI and autonomy aligns with global trends, positioning it alongside nations like the U.S. (with its CCA program) and Australia (MQ-28 Ghost Bat), while Pakistan remains on the sidelines.
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