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India is taking a significant step forward in its defence technology capabilities with the development of a new kamikaze drone, codenamed SWiFT-K. The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a key laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) based in Bengaluru, is leading this project in collaboration with Indian industry partners.
According to aerospace journalist Anantha Krishnan M, the SWiFT-K is India's first indigenously developed kamikaze drone, designed to fly at speeds of Mach 0.6 with autonomous and stealthy characteristics.
This initiative highlights India's increasing emphasis on achieving self-sufficiency in defence innovation. A primary goal of the SWiFT-K project is to develop capabilities to effectively counter sophisticated air defence systems.
The development also underscores the expanding contribution of domestic research and development to modern warfare preparedness.
Kamikaze drones, also known as loitering munitions, are designed to attack targets by crashing into them, offering a precise and cost-effective way to neutralise enemy assets.
The SWiFT-K is a specialised version derived from the ongoing Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT) programme, which serves as a technology demonstrator for unmanned combat aerial vehicles. The 'K' in its name signifies its role as a kamikaze drone, meaning it is equipped with an inbuilt warhead and is intended for single-use missions.
Unlike traditional unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that undertake surveillance or attack missions and return, the SWiFT-K is designed to destroy itself upon impacting the target. This makes it a potentially economical option for targeting high-value enemy installations, including advanced air defence missile systems.
To advance the project, ADE has already constructed two prototypes to validate the platform's underlying technologies.
The drone is engineered to operate at Mach 0.6, approximately 735 kilometres per hour at sea level. This high-subsonic speed, combined with stealth features derived from the SWiFT program’s flying-wing airframe, aims to reduce its radar signature, thereby enhancing its ability to evade detection and interception by modern air defences. Such systems could include the Chinese-origin HQ-9 air defence systems reportedly operated by Pakistan, which the SWiFT-K is being developed to challenge.
Notably, the SWiFT-K project has progressed significantly even without formal requests from end-users or specifically sanctioned funding.
Recently, High-Speed Taxi Trials (HSTT) for the drone were successfully conducted at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Challakere, near Chitradurga, Karnataka. This extensive 4,387-acre facility, managed by ADE, plays a crucial role in testing various UAVs, including the TAPAS-BH-201 and the original SWiFT demonstrator.
These trials have confirmed the drone's ground operational capabilities, stability, and its specially designed landing gear, which facilitates conventional take-off and landing during its initial test flights.
Furthering its collaborative approach, ADE is working with an incubator at the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, for the development of the SWiFT-K’s airframe, harnessing academic expertise.
A Transfer of Technology (ToT) to Indian industrial partners is anticipated in the future to enable mass production once the system is fully developed and tested.
This collaboration between DRDO laboratories, academic institutions, and private companies aligns with India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) initiative.
The initial design and prototype development were completed within an impressive nine-month timeframe, showcasing the potential for rapid indigenous technological advancement.
Currently, the SWiFT-K is in a capability demonstration phase, with a focus on proving the technologies required for autonomous, high-speed, stealthy unmanned aircraft. For these demonstration flights, the platform employs a conventional take-off and landing system using its custom-developed landing gear.
However, sources suggest that after this proof-of-concept stage, the SWiFT-K will be adapted for booster-assisted or catapult launches. This modification will remove the need for traditional runways, allowing for deployment from forward operational bases or mobile launch platforms, thereby increasing its operational flexibility in combat situations.
The design of the SWiFT-K is heavily influenced by the broader SWiFT program, which itself is a technology demonstrator for the more advanced Ghatak Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV).
Publicly available information suggests the base SWiFT platform, a scaled-down version of the Ghatak, has a wingspan of 5 metres, a length of 4 metres, an all-up weight of 1,050 kg, an endurance of one hour, and a command range of 200 km.
While these specifications pertain to the SWiFT demonstrator, the SWiFT-K variant will be specifically optimised for its kamikaze role, prioritising speed, stealth, and payload delivery over extended flight duration.
The drone is currently powered by the Russian NPO Saturn 36MT turbofan engine. Future plans include integrating the indigenous Small Turbo Fan Engine (STFE), being developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), which will further enhance India's self-reliance in critical engine technology.
