The Ministry of Defence has unveiled acquisition programmes worth several hundred billion dollars, covering a wide spectrum of advanced capabilities such as nuclear-powered surface vessels, next-generation battle tanks, stealth UCAVs, hypersonic strike weapons, directed-energy systems, and a range of drone and counter-drone technologies.
The comprehensive roadmap outlines more than 200 weapon systems and emerging technologies planned for induction over the next 15 years, providing crucial guidance to the defence industry on priority areas for research, design, and innovation.
Titled the Technology Vision and Capability Roadmap, the document highlights how the armed forces intend to adapt to the evolving nature of warfare, with strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, space-based operations, autonomous platforms across land, air, sea, and undersea domains, as well as energy-based weapons.
As part of the plan, the Indian Air Force will induct over 100 UCAVs. These unmanned combat aerial vehicles will be capable of carrying payloads at altitudes of up to 15 km and achieving supersonic speeds. Other advanced weapons include high-tech lasers designed to neutralize enemy space operations. Here’s the full list of all weapons that will transform the Indian Air Force in near future.
| Weapon/System | Category / Notes |
| Stratospheric airship | Communication relay, intelligence collection |
| Multiband programmable RF sensor satellite | Space-based surveillance & signal intelligence |
| Medium-altitude long-endurance drones | Long-duration UAVs (~30,000 ft, 24+ hrs endurance) |
| High-altitude pseudo satellites | Unmanned airships/planes at 18–22 km altitude |
| Remotely piloted aircraft (HALE, VTOL, ship-borne) | High-altitude, vertical takeoff, or carrier-based drones |
| Tactical high energy laser system | Directed energy weapon for precision targeting |
| High power electromagnetic weapon system | Disrupts electronics, radar, missiles, drones |
| Stealth UCAV | Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle with stealth capability |
| Anti-swarm drone systems | Counters multiple hostile drones simultaneously |
| Directed energy weapon | Laser/microwave-based futuristic weapon |
| High-Energy Electromagnetic Weapon Systems (on HMV platforms) | Vehicle-mounted anti-missile/drone system |
| Air-to-Surface Missiles for HALE/MALE UAVs & UCAVs | Precision strike weapons (12–20 km range) |
| Advanced Targeting Pods for Fighters & UAVs | Laser designators, IR/CCD sensors for precision targeting |
| Space/Air-to-Ground High-Speed Communication Systems & AI Command Grids | Secure comms & AI-based battle management |
| Directed Energy Weapons | General category (overlaps with above laser/microwave systems) |
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