SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Army has recently issued a call to industry, inviting proposals for the development of anti-personnel warheads specifically designed for deployment via drones. This move signals a strategic push to enhance the Army’s precision strike capabilities, leveraging the growing role of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in modern warfare. As India intensifies its focus on self-reliance in defense technology, this initiative underscores the military’s intent to integrate advanced drone technology into its tactical operations, particularly for counter-insurgency and border security missions.
The Army’s request for proposals comes amid a broader modernization drive, spurred by lessons from global conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, where drones have proven transformative in delivering precision firepower. The anti-personnel warheads are expected to be compatible with a range of drones, including First Person View (FPV) and kamikaze drones, which the Army has been actively integrating into its arsenal. A recent demonstration of a wire-guided, jam-proof FPV drone, showcased on April 13, 2025, highlighted India’s progress in this domain. That drone, with a range of 2-10 km and plans for an optical fiber variant extending to 20 km, was noted for its ability to deliver small but lethal payloads, such as fragmentation warheads, to neutralize threats while minimizing risks to troops.
The proposed anti-personnel warheads are likely to focus on fragmentation or blast-fragmentation designs, optimized to maximize lethality against enemy personnel within a defined radius. Such warheads would enable drones to engage soft targets—infantry, unarmored vehicles, or terrorist hideouts—with precision, reducing collateral damage compared to larger munitions. The Army’s emphasis on drone-delivered payloads aligns with its vision of “drone-centric warfare,” as outlined in its Vision@2047, which aims to transform the force into a modern, technology-enabled entity capable of delivering precision strikes at minimal cost.
This development builds on the Army’s ongoing efforts to expand its drone capabilities. In recent conflicts, India has demonstrated its growing proficiency in drone warfare, notably during Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, where loitering munitions and drones were used to strike terrorist sites in Pakistan. The Army has also procured systems like the Israeli-made Harop and SkyStriker drones, alongside indigenous platforms such as the DRDO Netra and the under-development Archer-NG. However, the lack of specialized anti-personnel warheads has been a gap in India’s drone arsenal, particularly for tactical operations requiring targeted elimination of personnel rather than infrastructure or armored targets.
Industry proposals are expected to prioritize safety and reliability, incorporating features like dual-safety mechanisms to prevent accidental detonation during transport or flight. The Army’s recent testing of a kamikaze drone with an anti-tank munition, conducted on March 28, 2025, by the Fleur-De-Lis Brigade, showcased such safety features, including a trigger system activated solely by the pilot via radio control. Similar safeguards will likely be mandated for the anti-personnel warheads, ensuring precise deployment in high-stakes scenarios like counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir or along the Line of Control (LoC).
The need for such warheads is driven by the evolving nature of threats along India’s borders. Pakistan’s use of drones, including Turkish-made Asisguard Songar and Bayraktar UAVs, during recent skirmishes has highlighted the urgency of enhancing India’s own unmanned capabilities. The Army’s existing drones, while equipped for surveillance and limited strikes, often lack the specialized payloads needed for anti-personnel roles. The proposed warheads could fill this gap, enabling drones to deliver a psychological and physical blow to adversaries, as seen with the FPV drone’s ability to “wear down foes” through constant surveillance and the threat of sudden strikes.
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