India Develops Comprehensive Framework to Enhance Security and Indigenisation of Combat Drones
The Ministry of Defence has unveiled a detailed framework aimed at fortifying combat drones against new vulnerabilities, marking a pivotal move to bolster India's capabilities in unmanned warfare.
This draft framework, open for feedback until April 8, is set to be a crucial component of the forthcoming Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026. It is a collaborative effort involving the armed forces, National Security Council Secretariat, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Defence Research and Development Organisation, accredited laboratories, and industry players. The groundwork for this initiative commenced in September 2024.
Amidst the increasing significance of drones in contemporary warfare, particularly along sensitive areas like the Himalayas, the framework seeks to establish a secure operational environment for "low, slow, and small" drones. This category includes nano, micro, and small platforms such as quadcopters and hexacopters, which are anticipated to make up nearly 95% of aerial systems in future combat scenarios.
The document points out current deficiencies in India's domestic drone manufacturing and testing capabilities, acknowledging that these will require time to reach full maturity. Nonetheless, it underscores ongoing initiatives to achieve full indigenisation and implement a reliable supply chain verification process.
An essential aspect of the framework is the integration of "secure-by-design" principles, which ensure that security measures are embedded from the earliest stages, beginning with the Request for Information (RFI) phase and continuing through procurement and lifecycle upgrades. This comprehensive approach aims to prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited.
The Indian Army has been actively enhancing its drone capabilities by introducing units like Ashni platoons, Divyastra batteries, Shaktiban regiments, and proposed Shaurya squadrons in armoured divisions. As drones become integral to operations across all three military branches, securing these assets has become a strategic imperative.
The framework outlines significant threats such as communication interception, GPS jamming and spoofing, control hijacking, and malware-induced data breaches. Recommended protective measures include secure communication links with Software Defined Radios, anti-jamming solutions, and robust cyber protection protocols.
A notable aspect of the policy is the intention to minimize dependency on foreign, particularly Chinese, components in drone systems, encouraging increased involvement from domestic industry. This shift comes in response to previous concerns, including incidents of technical malfunctions and procurement cancellations associated with foreign components.
The document's long-term vision is the creation of fully indigenous drones and critical components, down to the chip level. This approach aims to significantly mitigate vulnerabilities, secure the supply chain, and enhance operational control.
This initiative is part of India's broader effort to achieve self-reliance in defence technology while adapting to the swiftly changing landscape of drone warfare.
