India's Stealth Combat Drones Awaiting Funding Boost for Flight to the Future

India's ambitious plan to develop and deploy Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), often referred to as stealth combat drones, is currently awaiting critical funding clearance.

These cutting-edge drones, designed to carry missiles and precision-guided weapons, are set to revolutionize India's aerial warfare capabilities.

Funding Proposal on the Horizon​

While specific details remain confidential, sources reveal that a funding proposal for the broader RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aerial System) program, which encompasses the UCAV development, is expected to be presented later this year or early next year.

Estimates suggest a potential budget of ₹5,000 crore (approximately $600 million USD), highlighting the significance of this initiative for India's defense strategy.

Development Milestones and Timeline​

DRDO has already made notable strides with the SWiFT, a scaled-down prototype of the Ghatak UCAV.

Following a few more test flights, the full-scale UCAV program is anticipated to receive the official go-ahead. However, the deployment of fully operational UCAVs is projected for the late 2030s, primarily due to the ongoing development of the Dry Kaveri engine, a crucial component for these advanced drones.

Strategic Implications and Challenges​

India's UCAV program reflects a broader strategic shift towards self-reliance in defense technology. By developing and deploying its own unmanned aerial combat systems, India aims to bolster its airpower and establish itself as a key player in the global military technology arena.

However, the program faces challenges, notably securing adequate funding, adhering to development timelines, and ensuring a robust domestic supply chain for critical components like the Dry Kaveri engine.

Despite these hurdles, India's UCAV program represents a bold and forward-thinking vision for its military future. As the program progresses, it will be fascinating to witness how these stealth combat drones redefine the capabilities of India's armed forces and contribute to the evolving landscape of aerial warfare.

 

[Olef hitler]

So basically delay is at the financial side.

 

[Surendra Barsode]

There are immense technological challenges for UCAV project but let us not add funding as additional challenge to it!!! DRDO cannot take it on!!!. CCS should allow as much funding as required for this project of strategic importance and Raksha Mantri should take initiative on this rather than talking with 56 inches chest in his public speeches.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

A country which can throw Lakhs of Crores at wasteful farm loan waivers, tens of thousands of crores at electricity and water subsidies, many thousand of crores to subsidize ticketless travel of so called "poor" through the railways.

But dilliy-dallys on releasing 5000 crores for a defence project.

And we complaint why we are trailing China in industrial output.

 

[Sudha]

A country which can throw Lakhs of Crores at wasteful farm loan waivers, tens of thousands of crores at electricity and water subsidies, many thousand of crores to subsidize ticketless travel of so called "poor" through the railways.

But dilliy-dallys on releasing 5000 crores for a defence project.

And we complaint why we are trailing China in industrial output.

Read the article again. The project hasn't yet gone for request of funding. It is just wrong title of the article which is misleading.

 

[Sudha]

There are immense technological challenges for UCAV project but let us not add funding as additional challenge to it!!! DRDO cannot take it on!!!. CCS should allow as much funding as required for this project of strategic importance and Raksha Mantri should take initiative on this rather than talking with 56 inches chest in his public speeches.

Dont you know to read english? Request for funding hasnt yet been done.

 

[Sudha]

So basically delay is at the financial side.

Arey hitler request for funding hasnt yet been done. These days only knee jerk comments without reading the article properly. Moreover no decision will be taken till next government is sworn in.

 

[Akshat]

So basically delay is at the financial side.

Has the final design with funding request been submitted? No. So the delay is on the design side.

 

[Akshat]

There are immense technological challenges for UCAV project but let us not add funding as additional challenge to it!!! DRDO cannot take it on!!!. CCS should allow as much funding as required for this project of strategic importance and Raksha Mantri should take initiative on this rather than talking with 56 inches chest in his public speeches.

Has the final design been submitted? We have seen with most strategic projects that funds are getting approved nowadays within the same financial year once they are requested.

 

[Sandeep]

It's good to know that progress is being made and hopefully by this year it will be ready to build several of the full scale prototype. It's important that we develop the technology, stealth material, engines and weapons that will be compatible with it.

On top of that we will also need to develop or install EW, ESM, COMINT, SIGINT, SATCOM, targeting pod/laser designation, ground station control, GPS/NAVIC, surveillance, tracking, synthetic aperture radar, night vision/thermal vision, lightweight carbon composite, aerodynamic and control system, radar absorbing paint, enclosed weapons pod, sensor data fusion, drone health monitor, drone computer and software, automatic take off and landing, flight control, avionics, flying wing etc etc. All of this has to be developed and made 100% indigenously and with most of the technology we do have some knowledge and experience on the best way to develop the critical parts and technology or we have developed or are currently developing it..

To develop this drone it will be very expensive but the government will definitely pay billions to Indian companies because the stealth UCAV Ghatak drone is a strategic necessity to safeguard our skies but mainly to carry out key strikes and offensive missions from across the border or within their country.

 

[Rajesh]

Funding funding funding 😔.engine can't be an excuse because they can use m88 engine which is of similar power 50kn for testing till kaveri is ready.

 

[kumar]

In this case, kaveri engine certification is crucial. But still there is no investment into engine test facility, be it either flying test bed, or high altitude test facility. We will waste billions of dollars as aid to ungrateful Islamic countries but can't spend it on our programs, which create jobs, ecosystem, enhances the livelihoods of our own people and makes us immune to the likes of US or ch!nese.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

May be they are waiting for importing and screwdriving similar platforms then renaming and calling it indigenous.

 

[Frank]

Meanwhile Turkey will fly their own ghatak next year

 

[Crusader 2024]

India could use a partner or partners to co-develop a number of weapon systems. The two that I think would be a good fit for India is Israel and/or South Korea. (just saying)