Roadmap For UAVs, Loitering Munitions: How Indian Army Wants To Move Ahead With Drone Tech

Last Updated:April 07, 2026, 12:10 AM IST

The ‘Indian Army’s Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems and Loitering Munitions’ serves as a comprehensive guide for the development of cutting-edge aerial technologies

The Indian Army unveiled a roadmap for UAS and loitering munitions on April 6, 2026. (Image: @adgpi/X)

The Indian Army on Monday unveiled a new roadmap focused on drone technology, which is aimed at driving domestic innovation to align with the shifting dynamics of modern warfare.

The landmark document, titled the ‘Indian Army’s Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems and Loitering Munitions’, was released at an event at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

It serves as a comprehensive guide for the development of cutting-edge aerial technologies. By providing long-term visibility of its operational requirements, the army aims to foster a resilient and self-reliant drone ecosystem within the country.

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES?

According to the Indian Army, the primary objective of this nearly 50-page document is to act as a critical communication bridge between the armed forces and industrial stakeholders.

For years, the private sector, researchers, and startups have sought clearer insights into the military’s specific technical needs. This roadmap addresses that gap by providing clear, actionable visibility to industry, academia, and research and development.

It enables these institutions to channelise their investment, time, and technological efforts towards priority areas identified by the army. Major General CS Mann, ADG of the Army Design Bureau, said this marks the first time the army has shared such detailed specifications related to the domain of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and loitering munitions.

Maj Gen Mann said this transparency is intended to ensure that India’s drone ecosystem evolves in a structured, demand-driven manner, encouraging long-term investments in these emerging technologies.

WHAT IS IN THE ROADMAP?

The roadmap is exhaustive in its scope, detailing 30 distinct types of UAS and loitering munitions. These translate into at least 80 different variants.

These variants are organised across five core categories: surveillance, loitering munitions, UAS in air defence roles, UAS in special roles, and logistics UAS. By identifying such a diverse range of requirements, the army is providing a blueprint for domestic manufacturers to develop everything from small-scale surveillance drones to heavy-lift logistics platforms.

This detailed breakdown is designed to harness indigenous capabilities and reduce India’s historical reliance on foreign technology. The initiative is expected to catalyse greater participation from startups and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which are often at the forefront of rapid technological innovation.

WHY NOW?

The timing of this roadmap is no coincidence. The initiative comes against a backdrop of rapidly changing global dynamics – from the Russia-Ukraine war to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

These modern battlefields have underscored the growing significance of unmanned systems. Work on the document reportedly commenced following ‘Operation Sindoor’.

The army’s roadmap aims to integrate these lessons, ensuring that the force remains equipped with technologies that enhance its operational effectiveness in an era of evolving threats.

WHAT ABOUT SELF-RELIANCE?

The roadmap reflects the Centre’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision in the defence sector. By reinforcing a “whole-of-nation approach”, the army is bringing together key stakeholders from the defence industry, Drone Federation India (DFI), Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

The strategic nature of this information comes with a warning. During the launch, Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Capability Development & Sustenance), cautioned stakeholders about the sensitive nature of the roadmap. He urged industry partners not to share the document with unauthorised persons, citing the risk of such detailed specifications falling into the hands of an adversary.

This technology roadmap represents more than just a list of hardware, and is a forward-looking strategic document designed to synchronise domestic industrial growth with the urgent needs of national security. By empowering the private sector with a clear vision, the army is ensuring that the future of India’s drone technology is built, tested, and deployed from within its own borders.

(With agency inputs)

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