New Delhi: The Indian navy ship-based loitering munition capability programme has moved forward with the issuance of a Request for Information (RFI) for a new medium-range loitering munition system. The proposed system will be capable of operating from both naval vessels and shore-based launch platforms, significantly enhancing India’s long-range precision strike capability.
Official RFI details released by the Indian Navy indicate that the weapon must have a range exceeding 1,000 kilometres and be able to engage both maritime and land-based targets.
The move reflects the Indian Navy’s growing focus on unmanned warfare, long-range strike systems, and indigenous defence manufacturing under the Make in India initiative.
Indian Navy Seeks Long-Range Loitering Munition System
According to the official RFI, the Navy wants a Medium Range Loitering Munition (LM-MR) system that can function as a universal strike weapon.
Read also: How The Indian Navy Plans To Fight Future Naval Battles With A Layered Missile Network
The system is expected to attack enemy ships, coastal installations, command centres, radar stations, and other high-value targets located far beyond the range of conventional naval weapons.
Unlike traditional missiles, loitering munitions can remain in the air for extended periods while searching for targets before striking with precision.
Indian Navy Ship-Based Loitering Munition Capability: Key Requirements Of The New System
The Indian Navy has laid down several demanding operational requirements for the new platform. Some of the major specifications include:
- Operational range of more than 1,000 km
- Endurance exceeding nine hours
- Loiter speed above 75 knots
- Operating altitude up to 15,000 feet
- Maximum length of 2.5 metres
- Wingspan of around 3 metres
- Capability to launch from ships and land vehicles
- Ability to operate in GPS-denied environments
Indian Navy Ship-Based Loitering Munition Capability: Advanced Sensors And Autonomous Operations
The proposed loitering munition will feature a stabilised Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) seeker. This sensor suite will provide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, target identification, and terminal guidance functions.
The munition must also support autonomous navigation and secure communication links.
The Navy wants the system to operate effectively even in electronic warfare conditions where satellite navigation signals may be jammed.
Multiple Simultaneous Missions
One of the most notable requirements is the ability to manage multiple munitions at the same time. The Navy wants mission control units capable of handling up to ten loitering munitions simultaneously with seamless transfer of control between ships and shore stations.
This capability would allow coordinated swarm-style attacks and significantly increase operational flexibility.
Why The Indian Navy Needs Long-Range Loitering Munitions
Modern naval warfare is rapidly shifting towards unmanned and autonomous systems. Loitering munitions offer a combination of surveillance, target tracking, and precision strike capabilities in a single platform.
These systems are generally cheaper than cruise missiles and can remain over a target area for several hours before attacking. This makes them particularly useful against mobile targets and time-sensitive threats.
Expanding India’s Maritime Strike Options
The Indian Navy currently relies heavily on advanced anti-ship and cruise missile systems for long-range strikes.
The addition of loitering munitions would provide commanders with a more flexible and cost-effective option for maritime operations.
Defence experts believe such systems can play a major role in saturation attacks, reconnaissance missions, and deep-strike operations without exposing manned platforms to risk.
Indian Navy Ship-Based Loitering Munition Capability: Focus On Indigenous Development
The procurement is expected to proceed under either the “Buy (Indian-IDDM)” or “Buy (Indian)” category.
Under the Indian-IDDM route, the platform must be designed, developed, and manufactured in India.
This approach aligns with the government’s larger goal of increasing domestic defence production and reducing dependence on imported military equipment.
Recent defence acquisition approvals have also strongly favoured indigenous procurement, further supporting India’s self-reliance objectives.
Strategic Importance For India
The requirement comes at a time when navies around the world are investing heavily in unmanned strike systems.
Recent conflicts have demonstrated the effectiveness of loitering munitions in conducting precision strikes while keeping costs lower than traditional missile operations.
For India, a 1,000-kilometre-range ship-based loitering munition would greatly improve maritime deterrence, strengthen sea-control operations, and enhance the Navy’s ability to respond quickly to emerging threats across the Indian Ocean Region.
Read also: Indian Navy BrahMos Missile Deployment: Key Plans, Benefits and 2030 Roadmap
FAQs
The Indian Navy’s RFI requires the loitering munition to have an operational range of more than 1,000 kilometres and an endurance of over nine hours.
Yes. The Navy wants a system capable of launching from naval vessels as well as shore-based vehicles, providing greater operational flexibility.
Loitering munitions combine surveillance and strike capabilities in one platform. They can search for targets for extended periods and attack with high precision while remaining more cost-effective than many traditional missile systems.
