India Advances Ghatak Stealth Drone Programme with Plan for 60 UCAVs Acquisition
India's Ghatak programme, an indigenous initiative focusing on stealth combat drones, has taken a significant step forward. The Defence Procurement Board (DPB) has advocated for the acquisition of 60 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) to enhance the capabilities of the armed forces.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is responsible for the development of Ghatak, which is intended to be a stealthy flying-wing UCAV. This design is aimed at enabling the drone to penetrate heavily fortified airspaces and target high-value objectives, thereby minimizing risk to human pilots. The drone is equipped with features such as a low radar cross-section and an internal weapon bay, allowing it to carry precision-guided munitions for deep-strike missions.
Once operational, the Ghatak drone is expected to carry out multiple tasks, including the suppression and destruction of enemy air defences like radar and missile systems, as well as executing precision strikes on crucial infrastructure. The system is designed to function autonomously or in tandem with manned aircraft, contributing to a future network-centric combat environment.
The programme is an extension of the DRDO’s Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, which successfully underwent flight trials in December 2023 at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka. During these trials, the prototype demonstrated its capability to land autonomously without the aid of ground radar, using pre-surveyed runway coordinates.
Developed by the DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment, the high-speed UAV showcased the integration of locally developed lightweight carbon composite structures along with health-monitoring sensors.
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh of the Indian Air Force has previously pointed out that while unmanned systems will not entirely replace manned fighter jets in the immediate future, platforms like Ghatak will be instrumental in shaping future force structures, as outlined in the IAF’s Vision 2047 roadmap.
This development signifies a crucial advancement in India's indigenous unmanned combat capabilities and stealth strike potential, aligning with the country's ongoing defence modernisation efforts.
