Swarm power: IAF plans 800 drone munition systems for long-range precision strikes, says report

Drones of various types and capabilities have become central to contemporary battlefields for attack, surveillance and logistics-a trend highlighted during Operation Sindoor

The Indian Air Force has projected a requirement for 800 medium-range swarm unmanned munition systems (SUMS) to engage hostile targets beyond 350 km, according to Tribune India.

Each system would deploy a swarm of at least 20 drones that can be launched in quick succession, loiter over a designated area more than 350 km away for at least 30 minutes, and then autonomously search for, detect and identify stationary or moving targets, the Tribune India report added.

A Ministry of Defence request for proposals dated October 25 says swarm drones "saturate enemy air-defence systems, confuse radars and give IAF decision-makers the option to strike within a few hours" against hostile command-and-control nodes, according to Tribune India.

The IAF is seeking fixed-wing platforms with a hybrid jet-engine and battery power pack capable of carrying a minimum of 30 kg of ordnance in addition to required sensors, electronic countermeasures, communications suites and navigation aids, the report further added.

Specifications require effective operation from sea level up to 16,000 feet, the ability to launch and recover from unprepared surfaces and ship decks, and reliable performance in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 50°C, according to Tribune India.

Drones of various types and capabilities have become central to contemporary battlefields for attack, surveillance and logistics-a trend highlighted during Operation Sindoor, according to Tribune India.

Within the Indian Armed Forces, unmanned systems have been integrated across nearly every arm and service for a wide range of roles, and lessons from Operation Sindoor as well as conflicts overseas are being used to refine tactics and systems, according to Tribune India.

The services anticipate thousands of drones will be required for both tactical and strategic employment; drones are viewed as cost-effective force multipliers that also reduce risk to personnel, according to Tribune India.

While DRDO, research institutions and industry players pursue multiple drone development projects, the armed forces are placing strong emphasis on in-house development, local fabrication of tactical drones and training troops to operate them, the Tribune India further said.