The Indian Air Force has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking indigenous development of man-portable loitering munitions, signalling New Delhi’s intent to build domestically designed kamikaze drone systems for tactical air operations.
The RFI represents a strategic push toward self-reliance in unmanned weapons technology. Man-portable loitering munitions, commonly known as kamikaze drones or suicide drones, are small, expendable aerial systems designed to loiter over a target area before diving on an objective with high precision.
India’s defence ecosystem has made significant strides in unmanned systems over the past decade. The DRDO has developed several tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) including the Rustom and Nishant platforms, though these are primarily surveillance-oriented. The shift toward armed loitering munitions reflects India’s evolving doctrine on aerial warfare, particularly in asymmetric and counter-terrorism operations where precision strike capability with minimal collateral damage is essential.
Man-portable loitering munitions fill a critical gap between conventional artillery strikes and manned aircraft operations. These systems offer tactical commanders real-time flexibility: the munition can be launched toward a general target area, loiter to await confirmation of the precise objective, and engage only when positively identified. This capability is especially valuable in mountainous terrain, urban environments, and counter-insurgency scenarios where India operates.
The global market for loitering munitions has expanded rapidly in recent years. Israel’s Harop system, Turkey’s Kargu platform, and various Western equivalents have demonstrated operational utility in regional conflicts. The technology requires integration of AI-assisted target recognition, extended flight endurance (typically 15-60 minutes), and autonomous terminal guidance.
India’s defence industry faces technical challenges in developing such systems indigenously. The key requirements include miniaturised warhead design, efficient small-turbine or battery-electric propulsion, stabilised electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) seekers, and real-time datalink architecture. DRDO laboratories and private sector firms including those in the aerospace and electronics sectors are likely to participate in the RFI response process.
This RFI aligns with the government’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives in defence, which prioritise indigenous production over imports. India has historically relied on foreign loitering munition systems during operations; developing an indigenous alternative reduces dependency on foreign suppliers and strengthens operational sovereignty.
The RFI process typically spans 12-18 months before formal development contracts are awarded. Success in this programme would position India as a significant manufacturer of tactical loitering munitions and potentially open export markets across friendly nations in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region.
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