Beyond A Stealth Bomber, DRDO's Ghatak UCAV to Have Air Superiority Variant with A2A Missiles, Securing India's Airspace against Fighter Jets

India's flagship stealth drone program, the Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), is set to evolve beyond its primary role as a deep-penetration bomber.

New details confirm that the advanced platform will also be developed into an air superiority fighter, capable of engaging hostile aircraft and defending the nation's airspace.

This dual-role capability marks a significant leap in India's autonomous warfare strategy, positioning the Ghatak as a versatile asset for both offensive and defensive operations.

The ambitious project is being led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and its Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).

The Ghatak is a 13-tonne flying-wing aircraft designed for a low radar profile, making it difficult for enemy air defences to detect. Its main function is to carry up to 1.5 tonnes of precision-guided munitions in an internal weapons bay to strike high-value targets deep inside hostile territory.

In a major strategic enhancement, the UCAV will now feature an air-to-air combat variant. This configuration will equip the Ghatak with air-to-air missiles, such as the indigenous Astra series, allowing it to perform Combat Air Patrols (CAP) and intercept incoming enemy fighter jets or strike aircraft.

This development effectively transforms the Ghatak from a specialised strike drone into a multi-role unmanned fighter, bolstering India's air defence network.

Propulsion for this advanced UCAV will be provided by the indigenous Dry Kaveri engine, a non-afterburning jet engine developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE). This engine is optimised for fuel efficiency and a reduced heat signature, which are critical for stealth and long-endurance missions.

Recent reports confirm the Dry Kaveri has successfully completed high-altitude tests and is ready for flight trials, with Godrej Aerospace contracted to manufacture the initial batch of engines, marking a milestone for India's self-reliance in aero-engine technology.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has expressed plans to eventually deploy eight to nine squadrons of the Ghatak.

The platform's design incorporates advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) technology. This will allow the UCAV to operate in coordination with manned fighter jets like the Su-30 MKI and the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), acting as a "loyal wingman" to multiply the force's effectiveness in heavily defended environments.

The foundation for the Ghatak was laid by the successful trials of the Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT), a smaller, one-tonne technology demonstrator. SWiFT validated key autonomous technologies, including take-off, navigation, and landing.

While progress on a full-scale Ghatak prototype is underway, the program is awaiting final sanction of an estimated ₹5,000 crore from the Ministry of Defence to move into the flight testing phase.

Despite this, DRDO and ADE are proactively developing an engineering model to validate critical systems, with a prototype rollout anticipated by 2028 and production for the IAF targeted for the late 2030s.

 

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[sanket]

Nice! The Ghatak UCAV is very crucial for SEAD/DEAD missions. First, it's an unmanned jet that can enter enemy airspace and perform ISR missions, followed by SEAD/DEAD missions. A couple of days ago, I mentioned the importance of the Ghatak UCAV in SEAD/DEAD missions, as it can clear a path for manned fighter jets to strike deep inside where the Ghatak has limited combat range. Second, with its internal weapon bay, it's more stealthy to perform DPSA and A2A roles with bombs (SAAW). I'd love to see the anti-radiation missile Rudram with the Ghatak UCAV, which can destroy enemy communication, ground radar, and SAM systems.

 

[Sudha]

DRDO and ADE are two organizations which solely depend on the government for funds as they are not profit-making organizations. Now the question arises: even when the GoI hasn't yet released the funds, how are they able to arrange funds for carrying forward this project? Where have the funds come from? Have they taken a loan?

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Godrej was supposed to deliver engines starting Dec/January. Are they delayed? Funding should be fast-tracked.

 

[Bhishma]

Play the cards right. Ghatak will be HUGE. The key is to make it fully autonomous. Get someone from those AI/robotic companies like SpaceX, Boston Dynamics, Deep Mind, Google car etc. It can be done. China is working on it for sure. US probably achieved it already. The technology/algo is available already. Do it before its too late.

Once the tech is mastered, we need to apply it to Tejas and make an unmanned version out of it. Tejas being small is a good fit for this. Rip the GE out and put Kaveri in.

 

[Kira]

If the late 2030s is the supposed date for mass production,then I am afraid that it will already obsolete by then and too few in numbers to fulfill the roles that the IAF wants from it.
They should fast track it's trials and get it ready for induction quicker lest Ghatak ends up like the Rustom drone.

 

[Pankaj]

When will it be ready? Since the last 4-5 years, we are hearing of Tapas BH-201 and Ghatak UCAV. Where is the final product? Why is there so much delay? India needs these kinds of stealth platforms now. Complete the whole project in a mission mode so that these drones could be inducted by 2027. Further delays will degrade the quality, as every 5-6 years new ways of war-fighting equipment are emerging. Indian PSUs must cope with the latest trends to be competitive in the market.

 

[Mc Addy]

Surprise can be achieved via sea , specially via sea based submerged or semisubmerged platforms like Ukraine ,with low IR and radar signature, so if a submerged platforms could launch such a platform like this UCAV ,then it's double the punch as then air superiory can be achieved very fast as via sea as most concentrated surveillance action will be on land. Borders , which now maybe and should be jointly being assessed by China to our east and Pakistan to our west and USA from top via satellites post op Sindoor , to warn Pakistan early so go underwater not underground.

 

[FROST]

All talk. No result

 

[Mc Addy]

This weapon must have a tri service potential, STOL capacity and AI ,it must be different from conventional jets so a dedicated runway is not needed. This must be a weapon like Bhramos, game changer , can save may lives in heavily contested air superiority environment as USA is openly hostile to us now like post 1971.

 

[Pankajrai]

All the things are good but why so much of delay for such a critical platform ? Kaveri engine derivatives without afterburner is already undergoing final testing in Russia and is almost ready for use . So Ghatak Ucav project must get sanction amount within 2-3 months . And the full scale model should come before the end of 2026 with induction by 2028. Any further delay will downgrade the technology. Now we have a good ecosystem to fast-track the development of these platforms. The world has already entered into the war mode then why we should lag behind. Peace only come with power.