How nano drones will empower frontline Indian troops
Last week, the Ministry of Defence issued a request for information (RFI) to the industry to finalise technical specifications and identify probable Indian vendors for supplying indigenously-manufactured nano drones, along with accessories, to the Indian Army.
While the RFI does not specify the quantity expected to be procured, experts believe that given their size, cost and capability, several thousand such aerial vehicles could be inducted for employability at the lowest end of the field formations.
The Army’s requirements are for drones weighing less than 250 grams, an operational range of at least 2 km and a flight endurance of 30 minutes, besides being capable of operations in plain, coastal, islands and desert terrain as occurring in India, and in high-altitude areas along the northern borders in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
These are required to be equipped with satellite-based navigation systems, along with electro-optical and thermal sensors for day and night operations in commonly encountered weather conditions, and an operating temperature range from minus 20 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius.
Why the reliance on drones?
Drones of various sizes and capabilities are being increasingly used by militaries across the world for attack, surveillance, electronic warfare, logistics, search and rescue and disaster management. While some parts of the world like Ukraine, Russia and the Middle East have seen the employment of drones in war, their use in a conflict was witnessed for the first time over the Indian sub-continent during Operation Sindoor earlier this month.
Both India and Pakistan used drones for attacking each other, as also for surveillance and recce.
Drones have also been used for carrying out terrorist strikes like in Yemen or for smuggling contraband along the India-Pakistan border.
What are nano drones?
Nano drones are the smallest category of drones. Some of them can be as small as 8 inches and can be launched from the palm and even be flown indoors. These are also simple to operate and easy to transport.
According to the international classification of drones, those weighing less than 250 grams are classified as nano, between 251 gm and 2 kg as micro, between 2 kg and 25 kg as small, from 25 kg to 150 kg as medium and above 150 kg as large.
The Indian armed forces already operate several types of drones across all these segments for different operational tasks.
Given their small size and limited range and payload, nano drones would be employed for tactical surveillance and information gathering in their immediate vicinity by forward deployed troops.
Army officers say the drones would provide troops a bird’s eye view of the battlefield, enabling them to detect the location and movement of the enemy while holding defensive positions, or recce the lay of the land ahead to identify obstacles and enemy defence while advancing.
This would improve situational awareness by having independent, real-time intelligence without having to depend on other assets controlled or operated by different establishments. It would also enhance safety by reducing exposure of troops to potentially hazardous operations.
Besides the battlefield, these drones can also be employed in counter-terrorist operations and in urban areas, search and rescue and disaster relief missions.
Earlier this year, the Army procured about 200 Black Hornet nano drones from Norway for its Special Forces. Just about 6 inches in length and weighing 18 grams, it is one of the smallest military drones in service.
These drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras that can transmit live video and still imagery to operators. It is very difficult to detect because of its small size and low audio signature, making it ideal for covert operations, surveillance and border patrols.
