IAF launches indigenous long-range Kamikaze drone project with Indian industry

New Delhi, June 2026 : In a major push towards defence indigenisation and self-reliance, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated a project to develop indigenous long-range Kamikaze drones in collaboration with Indian industry, including private companies and start-ups.

A Defence Ministry official on Tuesday said that the IAF has issued a limited tender to select domestic firms for the development of One-Way Attack Unmanned Aerial Systems (OWA-UAS), commonly known as Kamikaze drones or loitering munitions.

The ambitious project will be spearheaded by the IAF’s 5 Base Repair Depot (BRD) located at Sulur near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, which has been designated as the nodal agency for the programme.

Kamikaze drones are self-sacrificing unmanned aerial vehicles designed to loiter over a target area, identify enemy positions and strike by detonating on impact. Their increasing use in modern warfare has underscored their importance as cost-effective and precision-guided systems capable of neutralising high-value targets.

According to officials, the drone platform will be designed, developed and manufactured entirely in India with active participation from indigenous industries. Importantly, the IAF will retain the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of the platform, ensuring long-term control over future upgrades, modifications and operational customisation.

Retaining IPR will allow the Air Force to rapidly adapt the drones to evolving battlefield requirements without depending on foreign vendors or technologies. The move is also expected to strengthen India’s domestic defence ecosystem by encouraging innovation and technology development within the country.

As per the IAF’s operational requirements, the long-range drones are expected to function at altitudes of up to 16,000 feet and operate effectively under both day and night conditions. The systems are likely to enhance the IAF’s capability for precision strikes and surveillance in diverse operational environments.

The initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” framework.

Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had emphasised the need for India to emerge as a global hub for indigenous drone manufacturing. Addressing the National Defence Industries Conclave, he highlighted that evolving geopolitical realities have made drones and counter-drone technologies central to future warfare.

The Defence Minister cited ongoing conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine War and tensions in West Asia, as examples demonstrating the growing strategic significance of unmanned systems.

Rajnath Singh stressed that self-reliance should extend beyond the final product to include critical components such as software, engines, batteries and structural moulds. He noted that many countries still rely heavily on imported components, particularly from China, underscoring the importance of building a fully indigenous supply chain.

The minister also highlighted the rapid growth of India’s defence innovation ecosystem under the Innovations for Defence Excellence programme. As of February 2026, around 676 start-ups, MSMEs and innovators had joined the initiative since its launch in 2018, resulting in 548 contracts.

Of these, 58 prototypes worth approximately Rs 3,853 crore have received procurement clearance, while 45 procurement contracts valued at nearly Rs 2,326 crore have already been signed.

The new Kamikaze drone project is expected to further accelerate India’s journey toward becoming a self-reliant defence manufacturing powerhouse and strengthen its preparedness for future warfare.

Team Maverick.