Continued from P1

The IAF has issued a limited tender enquiry to select Indian companies for the development of fixed-wing, one-way attack unmanned aerial systems (OWA-UAS), commonly known as kamikaze drones. The project will be coordinated by the Air Force’s 5 Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Sulur, Coimbatore, which will act as the nodal agency. Unlike conventional acquisition programmes where the armed forces define requirements and industry develops the product, the IAF will play a direct role in the design and development process. The move is expected to give the service greater flexibility in tailoring the platform to evolving operational requirements. According to the technical requirements, the drone should be capable of operating at altitudes up to 16,000 feet, function in both day and night conditions, and carry a modular payload of at least 30 kg. The platform is expected to support multiple mission configurations, including precision-strike roles, airborne data relay functions and sensor-based missions.

The project also envisages a highly autonomous system capable of launch, waypoint navigation, loitering and mission execution with minimal human intervention.