Building Defense and Strengthening Aerial Capabilities: The Indo-Pak UAV Landscape

The utilization of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in defense is transforming warfare. UAVs are critical to all three pillars of defense, namely, the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Forces are increasingly adopting unmanned, uncrewed, and remotely controlled or autonomous vehicles for military uses. The various army applications of UAVs include Information, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR), Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV), radar and communication relay, mapping military logistics, and nuclear cloud surveillance. Thus, nations around the globe are building on their drone capabilities to guard their borders and provide strong support in instances of clashes. Hence, the two rancor states in the South- Asia- India and Pakistan are focusing on drone capabilities with a motive to secure their borders. For instance, in July 2022, DRDO tested the ‘Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator’, for developing UCAV, primarily for the Indian Air Force. Furthermore, India has 270 startups in the drone technologies business. 

The Governments (of both the countries) in association with other organizations are working on the development of an efficient and robust system of UAVs, strengthening the country’s defense against potential foreign tensions. For instance, in March 2022, the Government of India launched a modified Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones and drone components. The scheme declared a total incentive of INR 120 crore ($15.2 million) spread over three financial years to the drone manufacturers/ industry. The rate is 20% of the value addition over three financial years. PLI for a manufacturer shall be capped at 25% of the total annual outlay.  

Additionally, the Central Government has undertaken a series of reforms to promote India's drone industry. The reforms include Liberalised Drone Rules, 2021, Drone Airspace Map, Drone certification scheme, Drone import policy, and Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022, among others. In line with the current developments in the UAV industry in India, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry anticipates the sector to contribute 4-5% to India’s GDP. According to the Civil Aviation Minister, the Indian drone industry will achieve a turnover of over INR 15,000 crore ($1.8 billion), in 2026. Furthermore, in December 2022, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, India, reported that the total number of drones with a Unique Identification Number (UIN), in the country was 5,673.  

In addition to the Government, the defense forces of India are actively participating in the development of the UAV sector. For instance, the existing unmanned systems fleet of the Indian Army comprises Heron Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) UAVs, and the smaller Searcher Mark II tactical drones. Furthermore, the army is planning to purchase high-tech UAVs to strengthen its Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. 

Similarly, the Indian Navy currently operates Israeli-origin Heron and Searcher Mk-II UAVs, however, the two UAVs are not shipborne. Additionally, the navy has leased the Sea Guardian drones. Furthermore, in June 2022, the Navy announced its plans to acquire 40 Naval Unmanned Aerial Systems (NUAS) for more than 100-meter-long warships.

Moreover, HAL developed a Combat Air Teaming System (CATS), in interest to the IAF. In addition, an armed stealth drone is designed to carry out MUM-T Operations and team up and fight alongside IAF fighters to hit high-value enemy targets. Furthermore, DRDO is developing the Ghatak, a UCAV. The Air Force also owns the Aura UCAV, which is capable of delivering laser-guided strike weapons.  

In addition to drone manufacturing, India is preparing for drone jamming. For instance, the D-4 anti-drone system developed by DRDO can provide both ‘soft kill’ (jamming of hostile drones) and ‘hard kill’ (a laser-based destruction method) options to the military to tackle fast-emerging aerial threats. The same is currently being used for VIP protection on National Day events. Similarly, Adani Defence & Aerospace in collaboration with Israel’s Elbit Systems, has started the deployment of counter-UAS equipment in the country’s major airports. 

It would not be wrong to say that UAVs have become critical to the Indian defense sector. The Government and the defense sector are also promoting the UAV scenario, by facilitating various programs and initiatives, to render substantial support to drone manufacturing. For instance,     

• In October 2024, the Drone Federation of India in partnership with the Indian Army and the Army Design Bureau, concluded Drone Shivir 2024. The initiative is aimed at making India self-reliant in defense UAV technology, and component manufacturing. The event additionally contributes to the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of the Central Government in the drone sector. 

• In September 2024, the Indian Army in collaboration with FICCI unveiled two events, namely ‘HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2’ and ‘HIMTECH-2024’ to harness military technologies for operations in high altitude areas. HIM-DRONE-A-THON-2 focused on drone solutions for the Indian Army for high altitude areas. HIMTECH 2024 was organized in Leh and focused on the development of technology and systems for meeting operational requirements along the Northern Borders. 

• In September 2023, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated a first-of-its-kind drone exhibition cum display, at Bharat Drone Shakti 2023. The drones featured during the event can be employed for both military and civil applications. The inauguration of Bharat Drone Shakti 2023 was followed by the formal induction of the first C-295 MW transport aircraft into the IAF. Additionally, the latest in-house innovations of the IAF were discussed during the event including the ‘Hybrid Drone Detection System’. 

India is additionally leveraging its relations with other nations across the globe to develop drone technology. This includes the ties of the Indian Government with the Governments of other nations and the partnership of Indian companies with foreign corporates on the development and expansion of the drone technology. For instance,  

• In October 2024, India and the US concluded a $3.5 billion deal for the procurement of 31 MQ-9B armed High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) manufactured by General Atomics through an inter-governmental agreement, via the Foreign Military Sales program of the US. 

• In July 2024, Thales and Garuda Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the development of the drone ecosystem in India. Thales will provide expertise in the field of Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) solutions, UAV detection, and system integration. Garuda will bring its skills in the manufacture and use of UAVs, and its expertise in the Indian market.

• In February 2023, a prototype of the Air-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (ALUAV) developed jointly by India and the US was flight-tested. The project arrangement was signed last year. The flight-testing occurred at a range in northern India and the US. 

Pakistan is no less concerned with the adoption and deployment of UAVs in the defense landscape of the region. The Government, defense agencies, and private players are making efforts to contribute to the utilization of UAVs in the defense sector. For instance, in March 2022, the Pakistan Air Force unveiled Bayraktar TB2 UAVs. Moreover,

• In November 2024, Pakistan unveiled the ‘Shahpar-III’ drone capable of flying 35,000 feet into the air and carrying heavy weapons (payload of up to 500 kilograms),  such as bombs, cruise missiles, and torpedoes. The drone is developed by Global Industrial Defense Solutions (GIDS). The cruise missile fired from the 'Shahpar-III’ drone offers a strike range of 250 kilometers. 

• In August 2024, Pakistan purchased Supercam drones from Russia. The Supercam S350 is designed for aerial photography, video monitoring, and to host other critical missions. It can remain airborne for up to 7 hours, making it perfect for extended surveillance operations. Additionally, it offers long-distance communication and features a speed of 120km/h. 

• In October 2023, Pakistan acquired the Bayraktar Akinci drone, a Turkish UAV. Pakistan received around 6-7 drones in April 2023, and actively deployed them. These drones have two versions, namely, Akinci A and B, with B being more advanced. 

• In August 2023, GIDS unveiled new missiles and a drone during Turkey’s IDEF defense conference. The missiles included Faaz-RF and Faaz-IIR medium-range, air-to-air missiles.  Shahpar III medium-altitude, long-endurance combat drone, was additionally launched during the event. Shahpar III is a Group 4+ drone and can carry weapons. It weighs more than 1,320 pounds (598.7 kilograms). It has six hardpoints for up to 530 kilograms (1,168 pounds) of disposable stores, a 1,650-kilogram maximum take-off weight. It additionally features an internal payload option, indigenously developed avionics, an anti-icing/deicing system, a 1553 architecture dual-redundant flight control computer, and multiple sensor options, including electro-optical/infrared, synthetic aperture radar, communications intelligence, and signals intelligence. 

Thus, both India and Pakistan are investing heavily in UAVs which are emerging as a tool for influencing the balance of power in the region. As drones become integral to militaries, efforts should be made at both ends to bridge the trust gap by entering into pre-emptive agreements on limiting disruptive drone technologies. The responsible deployment of UAVs is essential to bring down the risk of conflicts and enhance stability.