Bengaluru-based aerospace company, Kadet Defence Systems, is rapidly expanding its production of loitering munitions, aiming to cater to both domestic and international markets. This move comes after the company secured a contract with the Indian Armed Forces to manufacture these advanced systems.
Loitering munitions, also known as suicide drones, are a type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can loiter in the air before attacking a target. They have proven to be a potent weapon in recent conflicts, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Kadet is developing a wide range of loitering munitions, with payloads ranging from 50 grams to 40 kilograms of explosives and a potential range of up to 150 kilometers using radio frequency guidance, or even further with satellite-based navigation.
In a recent interview, Avdhesh Khaitan, Kadet's Co-Founder & CEO, revealed the company's ambitious plan to deliver an estimated 5,000 loitering munitions within the next 2-3 years. Kadet is confident in its ability to meet this demand and secure future contracts due to its proven track record and technological expertise.
The company has already developed and delivered over 50 loitering munitions to the Indian Armed Forces under a Development cum Production Partner (DCPP) model with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The delivered systems include Canister Aerial Loitering Munition (CALM), Combat UAVs with stand-off capabilities, Tactical VTOL UAVs, and systems capable of swarming and manned-unmanned teaming operations.
Kadet is also actively exploring opportunities in foreign markets, particularly in East Asia and Africa. The company estimates the market size for loitering munitions in India to be around Rs 15,000 crore and sees significant potential for growth in these regions.
In addition to loitering munitions, Kadet has also launched India's first Jet-Powered Aerial Targets, which have already been exported to another country. These high-speed, long-range targets are designed for training and evaluation purposes for armed forces and development agencies.
Kadet is adopting a "family concept" approach to its product development, creating versatile systems that can be adapted for various missions. Khaitan explained, "We are creating digital twins of our aircraft. You don't need one system, which is for one particular type of mission. Aerial targets can be used as loitering munitions with additions of camera and warheads."
This innovative approach, combined with the company's commitment to meeting the growing demand for loitering munitions, positions Kadet Defence Systems as a key player in the global aerospace and defense industry.
