New Delhi: The Indian Army 1,000 km one-way attack drones project is a major step to strengthen India’s defence capabilities. The Army has started the process to buy long-range indigenous attack drones that can strike targets up to 1,000 km away with high accuracy. These drones will use AI-enabled targeting, work in GPS-denied environments, and support India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat defence goals.
The new drone programme is part of the Army’s plan to build a strong domestic defence ecosystem and reduce dependence on foreign military equipment. The procurement process has been launched under the Long Range Loiter Munition (LRLM) programme and follows the government’s Make-II defence acquisition policy.
What Are Indian Army 1,000 km One-Way Attack Drones
One-way attack drones, also called loitering munitions or kamikaze drones, are unmanned aircraft that fly to a target and destroy it by crashing into it with an explosive warhead. Unlike traditional drones, these drones are designed for a single attack mission and do not return after completing the strike.
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The Indian Army wants these drones to carry out long-range precision strikes while avoiding enemy air defence systems.
Why Is the Indian Army Buying These Drones
Modern wars have shown that long-range drones can destroy important military targets without risking soldiers’ lives. The Indian Army wants these indigenous drones to:
- Strike enemy targets up to 1,000 km away
- Improve long-range precision attack capability
- Reduce dependence on imported defence equipment
- Support India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing
- Increase preparedness for future warfare
The move also supports the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
What are the Features of the New Indian Army 1,000 km One-Way Attack Drones
According to the Army’s requirements, the drones should have the following capabilities:
- Up to 1,000 km strike range
- AI-enabled targeting for better accuracy
- Ability to operate without GPS signals
- Carry a 25 kg explosive warhead
- Around 50-metre lethal radius
- Fly above 5,000 metres altitude
- Speed of at least 400 km per hour
- Strong protection against enemy electronic jamming
These features will allow the drones to carry out deep strikes even in difficult battlefield conditions.
Built to Operate in Every Type of Terrain
The Indian Army wants these drones to work in almost every battlefield environment. They should be capable of operating in:
- Plains
- Deserts
- Jungles
- Mountain and hilly areas
The drones will also be rugged enough to perform in harsh weather and challenging military conditions.
Complete Drone System Will Be Developed
The Army is not only buying drones but also a complete operational system. Each system is expected to include:
- Launch vehicle
- Ground Control Station
- Training simulator
- Fifteen aerial vehicles (drones)
This complete setup will help the Army quickly deploy and operate the drones during military missions.
Different Warheads for Different Missions
The drones will be able to carry different types of warheads depending on the target. These include:
- Thermobaric warheads
- Deep penetration warheads
The drones will also fly at low altitude and follow complex attack paths to avoid enemy detection, similar to systems used in recent modern conflicts.
Previous Indigenous Drone Procurement
The Indian Army has already started buying shorter-range one-way attack drones. Recently, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Nibe Defence were shortlisted to supply 850 indigenous attack drones capable of striking targets more than 100 km away.
The new LRLM project will significantly expand India’s long-range drone capability.
What Is the Make-II Defence Acquisition Policy
The Make-II category allows Indian companies to develop defence equipment using their own investment. If the product successfully meets the Army’s technical requirements, the government places procurement orders. This policy encourages innovation, supports private defence companies, and strengthens India’s defence industry.
Why Indian Army 1,000 km One-Way Attack Drones Is Important
The Indian Army’s new drone programme is one of the country’s biggest indigenous long-range drone initiatives. Once developed, these drones can improve India’s ability to carry out precision strikes, strengthen national security, reduce import dependence, and boost the domestic defence industry.
The project also reflects India’s growing focus on advanced military technology and future warfare.
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