The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

Numerous initiatives undertaken by the Indian Army to accelerate induction of drones for meeting requirements of the new age battlefield have been covered in these columns from time to time. The momentum has been accelerated during the current year. In March, the Army successfully tested three different types of indigenous loitering munitions in Ladakh at altitudes of over 15,000 feet. In August, the Army launched the 'Him Drone-a-thon' program in collaboration with the Drone Federation of India to catalyse and provide focused opportunities to the Indian drone ecosystem for developing drones to meet requirements of frontline troops.

In October, a number of requests for proposal (RFP) were issued, which included:

1. Procurement of 363 indigenous drones in keeping with Army’s commitment to fight future wars with indigenous solutions;
2. Procurement of 80 x mini Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) for tactical surveillance as a prelude to large scale induction, and;
3. Procurement of 750 x RPAS to equip Army's Special Forces Battalions for pin-point precision strikes.

The Army reportedly plans to initially procure 10 sets of Canistered Loitering Munitions Utility Vehicles along with 120 Loitering Munitions. This Canistered Loitering Munitions will give the Army the capability to fire the munitions singly or in swarms.

Hero-120 OPFM Multi Canister Launcher

Harop Loitering Munition System

According to recent news, the Army has also issued a RFP for the procurement of vehicle-based Canistered Loitering Munitions. The system requirements are as follows: extended range of 100 km; carry 8 kg or bigger warhead; ability of being launched from an altitude of 4,000 metres or more; endurance of two hours; minimum two metres circular error of probability (CEP), ability to home on to the allocated target even if communication from the ground is disturbed; ability to engage moving target with precision; capable of system to be mounted on 4x4 utility vehicle not weighing more than 7.5 tonnes, preferably on the Ashok Leyland Stallion that can support 12 Loitering Munitions.

Response for the above RFP has been asked by November 10, 2022. The Army reportedly plans to initially procure 10 sets of Canistered Loitering Munitions Utility Vehicles along with 120 Loitering Munitions with extended range of 100 km and other operational capabilities as mentioned above. This Canistered Loitering Munitions will give the Army the capability to fire the munitions singly or in swarms.

The Canister Launched Anti-Armour Loiter Ammunition (CALM) System is known as a pre-loaded loiter munition canister or a drone that once fired can remain airborne for a period of time over a designated area and after the target is sighted it can be guided to destroy the target with an explosive payload.

Chinese companies are leaders in the global civilian drone industry, with most drones also having military applications, and China is the second largest drone market in the world, after the US. Chinese drone manufacturer DJI reportedly has the largest share of the global drone civilian-market followed by Chinese company Yuneec, US company 3D Robotics and French company Parrot.

Reports of November 6, 2022 indicate that the Electronic Warfare (EW) version of China’s Wing Loong-10 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has entered service with the PLA

The PLA is in the process of being equipped with vehicle-based Canistered Loitering Munitions but the details are not available in the public domain. A significant development in China is the GJ-2 medium altitude long endurance armed reconnaissance drone of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The Aviation Industry Corporation of China has independently designed and produced the GJ-2 military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a PLA variant of the popular Wing Loong II drone. The GJ-2 medium altitude long endurance armed reconnaissance drone has the ability to fire lasers.

News reports of November 6, 2022 indicate that the Electronic Warfare (EW) version of China’s Wing Loong-10 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has entered service with the PLA. The official designation of this EW-UAV is WZ-10 or WL-10. According to preliminary information available, it is designed to locate electromagnetic signals between 100-300MHz at 200 kms. The UAV has a maximum take-off weight of 3200 kilograms, ceiling height of 12,500 metres, and a speed of 520 km/h. With two EW pods on its wings intended to interfere with and jam the enemy’s electronic systems, including radars and communication systems. It is designed to conduct electronic surveillance and possibly an endurance of over eight hours.

While reconnaissance drones have been on the scene for a long time, it is the power, speed and precision of the combat drones, particularly loitering munitions, that is conspicuous

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has brought home the power of drones in the new age battleground. While reconnaissance drones have been on the scene for a long time, it is the power, speed and precision of the combat drones, particularly loitering munitions, that is conspicuous. In addition are the EW drones. A Chinese scientist has said that in future the battle will only be between drones. While that is unlikely, drones definitely will continue to play significant roles in battle.