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India's journey toward deploying an indigenous unmanned stealth bomber has reached a major milestone. Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of the DRDO, has officially confirmed the core specifications of the highly anticipated Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV).
Designed to operate in heavily defended enemy airspace, this fully autonomous strike platform is being built as a 13-tonne class system.
According to Dr. Kamat, the drone will possess the physical dimensions and weight classification of a modern fighter jet, making it broadly comparable to the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1.
Recent developments indicate that the programme, now restructured under the Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft (RPSA) initiative, has received a significant boost with the Defence Procurement Board clearing an estimated ₹39,000 crore for the procurement of over 60 units for the Indian Air Force.
Propulsion for this formidable drone will be supplied by a specialised, non-afterburning "dry" derivative of India's homegrown Kaveri engine.
Expected to deliver 49 kN of thrust, this engine is perfectly suited for a subsonic stealth platform, prioritising fuel efficiency and extended flight times over raw supersonic speed.
Operating without an afterburner dramatically lowers the aircraft's heat output, a crucial factor in avoiding detection by enemy heat-seeking missiles.
Furthermore, current open-source data reveals that the engine system will feature serpentine air intakes and rectangular 2D exhaust nozzles, which will further suppress its infrared signature and enhance its survivability in dense air defence zones.
The most distinct characteristic of the Ghatak is its uncompromising focus on stealth technology.
Bypassing the traditional design of current surveillance drones, the Ghatak utilises a tailless "flying wing" configuration to heavily reduce its radar cross-section (RCS).
To maintain this "invisible" profile, it avoids external weapon pylons entirely. Instead, the aircraft will feature two internal weapons bays with an estimated total payload capacity of 1.5 tonnes.
This allows the UCAV to secretly carry precision-guided munitions—such as the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) and advanced glide bombs—deep into hostile territory without alerting enemy radar networks.
Because the Ghatak matches the scale of the Tejas fighter jet, it offers immense mission flexibility and a payload capacity that places it in an elite tier of high-end, heavy-duty strike drones globally.
Measuring approximately 14 metres in length with an 18-metre wingspan, its size allows for a massive internal fuel capacity.
It is expected to carry significantly more fuel than manned fighters of a similar weight class since it does not need a cockpit or pilot life-support systems.
This endurance enables the Ghatak to perform autonomous deep penetration strikes, suppress adversary radar systems, and eliminate high-value targets long before manned fighter jets enter the battlefield.
The successful integration of an indigenous engine, internal weapons carriage, and advanced stealth shaping marks a revolutionary leap for India's aerospace capabilities.
Building upon the successful autonomous flights of the scaled-down SWiFT (Stealth Wing Flying Testbed) demonstrator, the Ghatak is poised to act as a massive force multiplier for the military.
Whether operating independently or as a "loyal wingman" alongside manned fighters in the future, the Ghatak UCAV will ensure India can dismantle hostile air defence networks and execute critical strike missions without risking the lives of its pilots.
