suicide drones will attack enemy camps
Indian Army To Buy ‘Suicide’ Drones : The Indian Army is set to buy a large batch of indigenous ‘suicide’ drones or loitering munitions. These suicide drones will be rigged with explosives and will infiltrate enemy territory and expose their location. These are drones that are capable of successfully dodging radar systems. This means that they will be brought down before the enemy army even notices. The Army is likely to float a tender for this major project soon.
Indian companies have started preparations to supply loitering munitions designed and developed in the country. The initial deal is expected to be worth around Rs 2,000 crore and is likely to increase manifold in the coming years. The army is planning to equip many of its units with ‘suicide’ drones, which can strike targets at close range or deep inside enemy territory.
According to sources, many Indian companies will come forward to fulfill this order, which will reduce dependence on foreign companies and advance the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission. This will create an indigenous industrial ecosystem. These tenders will be issued in a ‘fast-track’ process, so that the army can test it within a few months and select the best option and place the order. In the normal process, this work takes at least two years.
The project will involve two domestic companies, which will get the work order in a 60:40 ratio. The companies that have passed the test and placed the lowest bid will get this opportunity. Big companies like Tata Advanced Systems, Adani Defence, Solar Defence & Aerospace Limited and Newspace Research & Technology are in the race. Along with this, companies like Naib Defence, A-Vision and SMPP may also join. Last year, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi announced the establishment of a special drone unit to induct drones and loitering munitions in the army. He gave the concept of ‘Eagle on Every Arm’, which means that every soldier will be equipped with drone capabilities.
