India's High-Stakes Pursuit of High-Speed Jet-Powered Target Drones: SWIFT Program and Beyond

At the heart of India's air defense strategy lies a crucial element: jet-powered target drones. These unmanned aircraft play a pivotal role in simulating real-world missile attacks during training exercises, allowing pilots and air defense crews to practice their skills in a controlled environment.

However, India's current lineup of drones is showing its age, prompting a scramble for more advanced solutions.

The Old Guard and Its Limitations​

Historically, India leaned on the British defence firm QinetiQ for high-speed target drones. While these drones have been workhorses, they're not without their shortcomings.

India has also developed its own drones like the Banshee Jet 40, Lakshya-2, and Abhyas, a commendable stride towards self-reliance. However, these homegrown drones struggle to match the blazing speed and agility of today's missiles, particularly older sea-skimming anti-ship missiles (AShMs) and newer, even faster threats.

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The Stealth Challenge​

The situation gets even trickier with the advent of Very Low Observable (VLO) technology, used in cutting-edge aircraft and cruise missiles

India currently lacks target drones with a Reduced Radar Cross Section (RCS) design to realistically simulate these stealthy threats, leaving a critical gap in training capabilities.

India's Response: The SWIFT Program and Beyond​

Recognizing the need for a change, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) are taking action. The Supersonic Weapons Imitating Flying Target (SWIFT) program is a prime example, aiming to acquire faster, more maneuverable, and potentially stealthier drones.

To truly replicate modern VLO threats, India needs highly maneuverable drones with a reduced radar signature. The fastest route might be purchasing or licensing the production of QinetiQ's Banshee NG. Boasting a speed of 900 km/h and the ability to withstand 9Gs, it closely mirrors the capabilities of current VLO subsonic AShMs.

The Road Ahead​

India's journey towards self-reliance in jet-powered target drones is far from over. While the current generation has its limitations, initiatives like the SWIFT program and the potential acquisition of the Banshee NG show a clear commitment to bridge the gap. This emphasis on advanced target drones will ensure India's air defense forces are prepared to face the ever-changing threats of the future.

In conclusion, The pursuit of high-speed target drones is a crucial, ongoing endeavor for India. It's a balancing act between homegrown development and strategic acquisitions, all aimed at ensuring the nation's skies remain secure.

 

[Sandeep]

It would be ideal to use the stealth UCAV SWIFT which would make it even more difficult for missiles to accurately target a stealth drone. This should be our main focus when developing the next generation SAM defence systems as we will continue to face threats from stealth fighters which will continue to increase.