Samtel Precision Products Limited (SMPP) and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Defence & Security (KNDS) have signed an agreement to establish indigenous manufacturing of loitering munitions in India, according to industry sources. The partnership marks a significant step toward domestic production of precision strike systems for the Indian armed forces.
Loitering munitions, commonly known as kamikaze drones or suicide drones, represent an emerging class of precision-guided weapons that combine surveillance and strike capabilities in a single platform. Unlike traditional missiles, these systems can loiter over a target area, allowing operators extended engagement windows and the ability to abandon missions if tactical conditions change.
KNDS, the defence and security division of the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann group, brings significant expertise in armoured vehicles and advanced weapons systems through its European operational base. SMPP, an Indian private sector player with established credentials in precision engineering and defence manufacturing, provides the domestic manufacturing footprint and supply chain integration necessary for Make in India compliance.
The development addresses a critical capability gap in the Indian military’s arsenal. While the Indian Air Force and Army have operated loitering munition systems in limited numbers, domestic production would reduce dependency on imports, accelerate acquisition timelines, and enable larger fleet deployments across field formations. The operational experience gained during counter-terrorism operations in Kashmir and Nagorno-Karabakh has underscored the tactical value of loitering munition systems in modern conflict.
This partnership aligns with India’s broader push toward defence indigenisation under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The Ministry of Defence has consistently prioritised reducing import reliance for critical weapon systems, and loitering munitions feature prominently in future procurement roadmaps of the Indian Army and IAF. Domestic manufacturing also reduces unit costs significantly through economies of scale and eliminates forex outflow on repeat buys.
KNDS brings proven system integration and design expertise, having developed loitering munition platforms for European and allied militaries. The technical collaboration will likely transfer advanced manufacturing processes and quality control standards to Indian facilities, enhancing the industrial base for precision munitions production.
The agreement underscores the growing trend of strategic partnerships between Indian private sector defence manufacturers and established European OEMs. Similar collaborations have yielded results in platforms ranging from advanced radar systems to electronic warfare equipment, establishing India as a credible manufacturing hub for allied nations seeking to diversify supply chains away from traditional European production bases.
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