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Army Raises Specialised 'Baaz' Battalions - Bharat Shakti Latest Latest News Indian Army accelerates drone transformation Drawing on lessons from Operation Sindoor and the military standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Indian Army has decided to raise specialised ‘Baaz’ battalions to operate long-range drones for surveillance and precision strike missions, marking a major step in its ongoing force transformation. Named after the hawk, the new battalions will operate under the Army Aviation Corps and centralise the operation, maintenance, and management of the Army’s expanding fleet of unmanned aerial systems. The Baaz battalions will be distinct from the Ashini drone platoons embedded with infantry battalions for tactical, short-range surveillance, and the Divyastra batteries of the Regiment of Artillery that operate loitering munitions, or one-way attack drones. Instead, they will be responsible for sustained long-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), deep-area monitoring, target acquisition, and the integration of drone operations with ground formations. Announcing the initiative, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said the service…

Self-Reliance in Asymmetric Warfare: IAF Launches Indigenous Kamikaze ... Self-Reliance in Asymmetric Warfare: IAF Launches Indigenous Kamikaze Drone Programme with Dedicated Hub in Tamil Nadu RA News Desk June 16, 2026 Share Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Linkedin Email Print NEW DELHI. The Indian Air Force is establishing a dedicated development and manufacturing hub at Sulur, Tamil Nadu, to spearhead a domestic ecosystem for advanced attack drones and loitering munitions. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking a decisive step toward restructuring its asymmetric warfare strategies by launching a comprehensive, indigenous kamikaze drone (loitering munition) programme. This strategic move aims to create a highly robust, self-reliant defence pipeline to build mass-scale precision attack systems entirely within India. The Sulur Aerospace Node At the centre of this initiative is the establishment of a specialised infrastructure hub at the Sulur Air Force Station near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Chosen for its existing operational layout and its strategic location within the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor, Sulur will serve multiple unified purposes: Design & Evaluation: Bridging the gap …

IAF to develop kamikaze drones with industry help - Dailyhunt I n a departure from past practice, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to develop long-range kamikaze drones in partnership with Indian industry. Advertisement On June 12, the IAF issued a limited tender enquiry to select Indian companies, stipulating that the drones must be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured. The IAF's 5 Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Sulur, Coimbatore, will serve as the nodal agency for the project. The IAF's direct involvement in developing a military platform marks a significant shift from the usual procurement model. Typically, the force lays down operational requirements and specifications, leaving industry to design and manufacture the equipment. Under the proposed project, the IAF intends to retain ownership of the intellectual property rights (IPR), enabling future modifications and upgrades. Sources said this would also allow the BRD to scale up production as and when required. In military terminology, 'kamikaze' drones are known as "one-way attack unmanned aerial systems". These platforms are launched to strike designated targets and are not intended to return after completing …

IAF Launches Indigenous Kamikaze Drone Project NEW DELHI:The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched a project to develop indigenous long-range Kamikaze drones with Indian industry, a Defence Ministry official said on June 16. The IAF has issued a limited tender to select Indian companies for One-Way Attack Unmanned Aerial Systems (OWA-UAS), the official said in a statement. The Kamikaze drone project will be handled by the 5 Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Sulur near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, that has been designated as the nodal agency for the key task. Kamikaze drones, also known as loitering munitions or suicide drones, are one-way, self-sacrificing unmanned aerial vehicles that fly to a target area, locate enemies and detonate on impact. As part of the decisions taken by the Defence Ministry, the IAF will retain Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of the drone platform that is proposed to be designed, developed and manufactured entirely in India with the help of home-grown companies and start-ups. The project will enable faster upgrades, modifications and customisation as per operational needs, the statement said. As per IAF’s specifications the long-range Kamikaze drones would o…

IAF to indigenously produce Kamikaze drones with domestic partners The Indian Air Force is developing indigenous long-range kamikaze drones. This project aims for self-reliance in drone technology. The Air Force has invited bids from Indian companies for this significant initiative. This move prepares the force for future drone-centric warfare. Another major contract for 87 long-range UAVs is also underway.

India Kamikaze Drones Market Size, Trends & Forecast 2032 India Kamikaze Drones Market Projected16.1% CAGRfrom 2026 to 2032 Study Period 2026-2032 Market Size (2026) USD 23.22 Million Market Size (2032) USD 56.87 Million Base Year 2025 Projected CAGR 16.1% Leading Segments By Offering: Fixed-Wing Loitering Munition Source:MarkNtel Advisors The India Kamikaze Drones market is expected to grow at a steady CAGR of 16.1% during the forecast period, driver by growing focus on autonomous warfare technologies and modern battlefield systems. The Indian armed forces are increasingly deploying loitering munitions and FPV kamikaze drones capable of conducting precision strikes against enemy infrastructure, armored vehicles, and radar systems while minimizing operational risks to personnel. Moreover, the rising geopolitical tensions and the growing strategic importance of unmanned combat systems have further accelerated India’s adoption of advanced drone warfare technologies. As part of this broader defence capability enhancement strategy, India’s Defence Acquisition Council approved military procurement proposals worth nearly USD 8.8 billion in 2025, including loitering munit…

IAF to develop kamikaze drones with industry help - The Tribune In a departure from past practice, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to develop long-range kamikaze drones in partnership with Indian industry. On June 12, the IAF issued a limited tender enquiry to select Indian companies, stipulating that the drones must be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured. The IAF’s 5 Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Sulur, Coimbatore, will serve as the nodal agency for the project. The IAF’s direct involvement in developing a military platform marks a significant shift from the usual procurement model. Typically, the force lays down operational requirements and specifications, leaving industry to design and manufacture the equipment. Under the proposed project, the IAF intends to retain ownership of the intellectual property rights (IPR), enabling future modifications and upgrades. Sources said this would also allow the BRD to scale up production as and when required. In military terminology, ‘kamikaze’ drones are known as “one-way attack unmanned aerial systems”. These platforms are launched to strike designated targets and are not intended to return after completing their mis…

IAF looking to build indigenous kamikaze drones, wants ownership of ... © Copyright 2026 The Week Online. All rights reserved. The Indian Air Force is embarking on a new era of defence development by collaborating with domestic companies to jointly develop kamikaze drones The Week News Desk Updated- June 16, 2026 05:13 PM IST 2 minuteRead Link Copied IAF is ditching traditional buying methods to jointly develop kamikaze drones in India A key aspect is the IAF retaining intellectual property rights, allowing for future upgrades and customisation This strategic move not only promises cutting-edge technology for round-the-clock missions but also ensures the IAF retains full control over the future upgrades As drones increasingly become a decisive element of modern warfare, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking to strengthen its unmanned capabilities through a new partnership model with the domestic industry. According to media reports, the IAF has decided to jointly develop kamikaze drones with Indian companies, marking a shift from the conventional procurement approach in which the armed forces specify operational requirements and leave the design and manufacturing to indu…

Indian Army to expand drone fleet, raise Baaz Battalions to boost ... PTI New Delhi: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi on Monday said the force will require continuous induction, upgrades and large-scale replenishment of drones, announcing the raising of specialised " Baaz Battalions " to strengthen intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. General Dwivedi said the new initiative will build upon existing Remotely Piloted Aircraft Flights and create a dedicated pool of trained personnel to operate and manage drone systems across the battlefield ecosystem. "The Army will require continuous induction, upgrades and replenishment of drones on a large scale. To maintain pace with this requirement, one of the most important initiatives is raising Baaz Battalions. This will be built upon the existing Remotely Piloted Aircraft Flights. These battalions will comprise a specialist pool of personnel trained to operate and manage the ecosystem of Remotely Piloted Aircraft," he said. "This will enhance Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities through integrated aerial surveillance, persistent battlefield awareness and rapid response," General…

IAF Launches Indigenous Kamikaze Drone Project to Build Dedicated ... Home » IAF Launches Indigenous Kamikaze Drone Project to Build Dedicated Production Hub at Sulur Share: X Facebook VK WhatsApp Drawing critical lessons from recent conflicts where loitering munitions and one-way attack drones have fundamentally altered battlefield dynamics, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated an ambitious programme to establish a fully indigenous ecosystem for the design, development, manufacturing, and sustainment of kamikaze drones. Rather than focusing solely on acquiring a new weapon system, the initiative seeks to create a long-term domestic capability that can continuously support future generations of unmanned strike platforms. At the heart of the project is the establishment of a dedicated drone development and production facility at Air Force Station Sulur in Tamil Nadu, a move that reflects the IAF’s broader commitment to strengthening India’s self-reliance in advanced military technologies. The proposed facility is expected to serve as a centre for research, prototyping, integration, testing, manufacturing, and lifecycle support, reducing dependence on external suppliers for crit…