Drones take centre stage at Aero India

With the nature of warfare evolving rapidly, Aero India is abuzz with Indian and foreign military leaders exploring the latest advancements in drones and counter-drone systems.

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In the field of drones, armed variants — though not on display here — represent the pinnacle of technological innovation. India is acquiring the MQ-9B, also known as the Predator, from the US-based General Atomics. This drone can remain airborne for over 30 hours, track targets and fire missiles.

Vivek Lall, Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation, told The Tribune about the capabilities of the MQ-9B: “We are in an era where persistent surveillance is crucial. We need cutting-edge technology to achieve that.”

At Aero India, Adani Defence and Aerospace, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), unveiled India’s first public-private partnership-based counter-drone system. Mounted on a vehicle, the system features a high-energy laser, a 7.62-mm gun, advanced radar, electro-optical sensors and jammers for real-time target neutralisation within a 10-km range.

Rajnath: India’s defence equipment attraction for world

Bengaluru: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said India is going through a revolutionary phase of transformation, and the country’s fighter jets, missile systems and naval vessels are not only protecting our borders, but are also becoming the centre of attraction for the entire world. Highlighting the adoption of indigenously manufactured defence products, he said nothing less than the best can be allowed when it comes to national security. “Aero India has reached heights that are not only unparalleled but historic,” the Defence Minister said.

In the past couple of years, over 200 small drones have been detected crossing the border from Pakistan. The new counter-drone system is designed to tackle such threats. Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO of Adani Defence and Aerospace, said, “We are proud to translate DRDO’s cutting-edge technology into an operationally ready solution for the armed forces.”

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan witnessed the unveiling of another anti-drone system by Zen Technologies.

Another key category of drones includes tactical drones, loitering drones and logistics drones, which the Indian Army and Air Force require in large numbers for various operations. Several Indian startups are showcasing their innovations at the event.

Indian company ideaForge, which has successfully supplied drones to the armed forces, unveiled two new platforms —‘Netra-5’ and ‘Switch V2’. Netra-5 is designed for real-time intelligence gathering and surveillance. Ankit Mehta, CEO of ideaForge, said, “We innovate with purpose, creating UAVs that address the unique challenges faced by defence forces. The Netra-5 can carry a 2-kg payload of ammunition that can be dropped on designated targets.”

Meanwhile, Bengaluru-based Scandron, which won the Army’s high-altitude drone competition in September last year, has set up a unit in Ladakh to manufacture logistics drones. Its CEO, Arjun Naik, said, “We will manufacture in Ladakh — we already have a unit there.”

Logistics drones, essential for delivering supplies to remote border outposts cut off by snow during winter, were also in focus at the event. Scandron unveiled a logistics drone capable of carrying a 200-kg payload in the plains.

Last year, under emergency procurement, the Ministry of Defence approved the purchase of loitering ammunition for the Army. These drones can remain airborne for a set duration, conduct target surveillance and strike when commanded from the ground. Multiple companies showcased such ammunition at Aero India.

Meanwhile, Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace signed an MoU to establish a Centre of Excellence for indigenous UAV design and development.