IN NEWS:Indian Army Inducts Indigenous First-Person View (FPV) Drones with Anti-Tank Capability
ANALYSIS
The Indian Army has inducted in-house developed First Person View (FPV) drones equipped with anti-tank payloads, marking a significant advancement in India’s tactical drone warfare capabilities and indigenous defence innovation.
Background
- FPV drones gained global prominence during the Russia-Ukraine War, where they demonstrated effectiveness in low-cost precision strikes.
- India has been focusing on Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence by promoting indigenous R&D and in-house innovations within armed forces.
Key Features
- Indigenous Development:
- Developed internally by the Indian Army in collaboration with Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL).
- Combat Capability:
- Equipped with impact-based, kamikaze-role anti-tank munition.
- Designed for precision targeting of high-value assets like tanks.
- Cost Efficiency:
- Each drone costs approximately ₹1.4 lakh, making it a low-cost high-impact weapon system.
- Production & Deployment:
- Initial induction of 5 drones, with 95 more planned.
- Assembled at the Rising Star Drone Battle School, which has produced over 100 drones.
- Leadership & Innovation:
- Developed under Major Cephas Chetan with TBRL scientists.
Key Issues
- Technological Limitations:
- Vulnerability to electronic warfare (jamming, spoofing).
- Operational Risks:
- Requires skilled operators and real-time situational awareness.
- Ethical & Legal Concerns:
- Use of kamikaze drones raises questions regarding autonomous lethal weapons regulation.
- Doctrinal Adaptation:
- Need to integrate drone warfare into traditional military doctrines.
Implications
- Enhances India’s asymmetric warfare capabilities with cost-effective solutions.
- Reduces dependency on foreign defence imports.
- Signals a shift towards network-centric and drone-based warfare.
- Improves battlefield efficiency by enabling precision strikes with minimal collateral damage.
Applications
- Anti-Tank Operations: Targeting armoured vehicles in combat zones.
- Surveillance & Reconnaissance: Real-time battlefield intelligence.
- Urban Warfare: Precision strikes in confined environments.
- Border Security: Monitoring and neutralising threats along borders.
Way Forward
- Invest in counter-drone and anti-jamming technologies.
- Develop AI-enabled autonomous drone systems with safeguards.
- Strengthen training infrastructure for drone operators.
- Formulate clear policies on use of lethal autonomous systems.
- Promote greater DRDO-private sector collaboration for scaling production.
STATIC PART
Indian Army
- Established: 1895 (as British Indian Army; reorganised post-independence)
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Chief of Army Staff: Upendra Dwivedi
- Functions:
- Land-based military operations
- National security and territorial integrity
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL)
- Organisation: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- Location: Chandigarh
- Functions:
- Research in terminal ballistics and warhead systems
- Development of armament technologies
Updated - 29 March 2025 ; 04:54 AM IST | News Source: The Hindu