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India's indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program is reaching a new milestone with the evolution of the Rustom-1 into a weaponized platform, designated the Short Range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Weaponised (SRUAV-W).
This development signifies a major step forward in bolstering the nation's aerial strike capabilities through the integration of four Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), potentially the advanced NAG-MK2.
Originally conceived as a surveillance and reconnaissance platform, the Rustom-1, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has been a key component of India's efforts to establish a robust domestic UAV industry.
The transformation into the SRUAV-W represents a strategic shift, enabling the system to undertake offensive operations alongside its traditional Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) roles.
The SRUAV-W's defining feature is its armament of four ATGMs. This upgrade allows the drone to engage ground targets, especially armored vehicles, from a standoff distance, dramatically increasing its tactical utility in combat situations.
While the specific ATGM variant has not been officially confirmed, strong speculation points towards the NAG-MK2, an improved version of the indigenous NAG missile system. The NAG-MK2 boasts enhanced range, guidance, and penetration capabilities, making it a potent weapon against heavily armored targets.
The NAG missile is a third-generation "fire-and-forget" anti-tank missile developed by India. It has an operational range of 500 m to 20 km. It has a single-shot hit probability of 90% and a ten-year, maintenance-free shelf life.
The integration of ATGMs effectively transforms the Rustom-1 into a multi-role platform, capable of contributing to both defensive and offensive operations. This augments India's burgeoning unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) arsenal, which has traditionally relied heavily on imported systems.
The SRUAV-W is currently undergoing rigorous testing, with a focus on weapon integration, flight stability under increased payload, and the effectiveness of the ATGM system from an aerial platform. Successful integration of the NAG-MK2 could pave the way for further iterations or upgrades, potentially incorporating diverse munitions or advancements in sensor technology for improved target acquisition and engagement.
The Rustom program, which also includes the larger and more capable Rustom-II (also known as TAPAS-BH-201), aims to reduce reliance on foreign-made UAVs and UCAVs. The TAPAS-BH-201, a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV, is designed for high-altitude surveillance and reconnaissance, with a longer range and higher payload capacity than the Rustom-1. It's believed that TAPAS can also be armed with air-to-surface missiles, rockets or bombs when required in future.
