SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG


In a significant push toward self-reliance in defence technology, the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) have thrown their weight behind the development of High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), with two distinct proposals—one turboprop-powered and the other turbojet-powered—gaining momentum.
According to sources cited by idrw.org, the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are spearheading these parallel efforts, each tailored to meet the unique operational demands of India’s armed forces, particularly in the challenging Himalayan region. Both programs are on the cusp of receiving official approval from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), signalling a strategic shift toward Indigenous UAV capabilities.
The backing from the Army and IAF comes at a critical juncture, as India seeks to enhance its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities along its northern borders, where high-altitude endurance is non-negotiable.
The ADE, a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is developing a turboprop-powered HALE UAV designed for extended ISR missions in high-altitude environments. This program has gained an edge with the technical consultancy from GE Aerospace, a partnership bolstered by India’s $3.5 billion order for 31 MQ-9B drones in October 2023. GE’s expertise, honed through decades of powering UAVs like the MQ-9, will guide ADE in optimizing the turboprop platform for endurance and altitude performance—crucial for operations near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
The turboprop configuration, likely powered by an engine such as the Honeywell TPE331 (used in the MQ-9B) or an indigenous equivalent, offers superior fuel efficiency and loiter times exceeding 25 hours. With an anticipated all-up weight of around 5 tons, as reported by idrw.org in 2023, this UAV could carry payloads like synthetic aperture radar, electro-optical sensors, and possibly precision munitions. The collaboration with GE ensures access to cutting-edge design insights, potentially accelerating the ADE’s timeline, with a rollout speculated for late 2025 pending MoD clearance.
In parallel, HAL is pursuing an ambitious turbojet-powered HALE UAV, emphasizing indigenous innovation. This platform is expected to be powered by a 25kN thrust-class engine—potentially the Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE-25), under development by HAL’s Engine Division. Unlike the turboprop’s focus on endurance, the turbojet design prioritizes speed and altitude, enabling it to cruise at the extreme heights required for Himalayan operations, where air density and weather pose unique challenges.
The HAL proposal aligns with the IAF’s 2023 endorsement of a jet-powered UAV for high-altitude ISR, as noted by idrw.org. With a maximum takeoff weight estimated at 7-8 tons, this UAV could support a diverse payload suite, including early warning radars, air-to-ground missiles, and electronic reconnaissance systems. Its ability to operate at altitudes above 40,000 feet would make it a formidable asset for monitoring the LAC, complementing the MQ-9Bs stationed in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur and Sarsawa bases. HAL’s indigenous focus ensures long-term self-sufficiency, reducing dependency on foreign maintenance and supply chains.
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