India to purchase 60 Ghatak stealth combat drones for future autonomous deep strike force.

India’s Defence Procurement Board recommended the acquisition of 60 Ghatak unmanned combat aerial vehicles for deep strike and suppression of enemy air defences.

India’s Defence Procurement Board recommended the acquisition of 60 Ghatak unmanned combat aerial vehicles on March 3, 2026. The proposal now moves to the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The stealth flying wing drone is being developed by DRDO as part of long-term force development under the Vision 2047 roadmap, for deep strike missions, air defence suppression, and coordinated operations with fighter jets such as the Tejas.
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The Ghatak relies on a low radar cross section, internal weapon carriage, and an autonomous operating logic that would allow it to undertake deep-strike missions without exposing pilots to direct risk. (Picture source: Indian MoD)

As reported by Business Standard on March 3, 2026, India's Defence Procurement Board recommended the acquisition by the Ministry of Defence of 60 units of the Ghatak unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). The recommendation now moves to the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, for approval before procurement decisions are finalised. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian armed forces, the Ghatak is intended primarily for the Indian Air Force as part of long-term force planning under the Vision 2047 capability roadmap.

This roadmap integrates unmanned combat aircraft into the future combat structure alongside manned fighters to field an indigenous stealth strike drone capable of operating in high-threat environments. The acquisition of 60 units corresponds to a first operational batch of unmanned combat aircraft designed for deep-strike missions and suppression of enemy air defences. The Ghatak drone is a jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) built around a flying-wing configuration to reduce radar detection and improve aerodynamic efficiency. The design also eliminates conventional tail surfaces, which lowers radar reflections and allows the drone to penetrate defended airspace protected by radar networks and missile systems.

The Ghatak incorporates an internal weapons bay for missiles, bombs, and precision-guided munitions, preserving its low observable characteristics during combat operations. Intended mission sets include deep strike, suppression and destruction of enemy air defences, and attacks on strategic infrastructure such as command centres or radar installations. As the Ghatak can operate autonomously or alongside manned combat aircraft during coordinated missions, the drone may enter contested zones ahead of Indian fighter jets, such as the Tejas and the AMCA, to identify threats and strike priority targets. The Ghatak originates from the earlier Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft (AURA) program initiated in 2009 to examine the feasibility of an Indian stealth unmanned combat aircraft.

That program concluded in April 2013, but was followed by the Ghatak UCAV development effort led by the Aeronautical Development Establishment with design work involving the Aeronautical Development Agency and cooperation with the Indian Air Force. The Ghatak UCAV is expected to weigh less than 15 tonnes and operate at altitudes up to 30,000 feet while carrying internal payloads of guided weapons. Onboard systems include mission computers, fire control radars, identification friend-or-foe equipment, collision avoidance systems, and secure data links. Autonomous navigation, mission management, and sensor fusion are central elements of the drone’s architecture. These systems enable the Ghatak drone to detect, track, and engage targets without direct pilot control while remaining connected to command networks. 

Propulsion is planned around a dry variant of the indigenous Kaveri turbofan engine developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment. The engine is projected to produce about 52 kilonewtons of thrust without afterburning, and will prioritize endurance and fuel efficiency over supersonic performance. A dry engine configuration also reduces the infrared signature and improves the operational range during long missions. The flying-wing design also improves fuel storage and payload efficiency compared with conventional drone layouts. Internal carriage of weapons eliminates external pylons that would increase radar visibility. The aircraft’s stealth characteristics are further supported by airframe shaping and engine intake design that limit exposure of reflective engine components. This configuration supports long-duration missions over contested airspace where survivability depends on such reduced detection. 

Development of the Ghatak also relies on a precursor technology demonstrator known as the Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT), also called the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator. This experimental UAV was approved in 2016 to validate control of the flying-wing configuration and autonomous flight systems before the full-scale Ghatak is produced. The demonstrator measures about 4 metres in length with a wingspan of 5 metres and a weight close to 1 tonne. It uses a small turbofan engine, such as the TRDD-50MT or NPO Saturn 36MT, and incorporates domestically developed avionics, flight control systems, and landing gear. Two demonstrator prototypes have been constructed, one with a flying-wing configuration and another equipped with a vertical stabiliser.

Ground taxi trials began in June 2021 as part of the initial test phase for the Ghatak program. The first flight of the demonstrator took place on July 1, 2022, at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga in the state of Karnataka. During the flight, the drone conducted takeoff, waypoint navigation, and landing in fully autonomous mode. The UAV followed pre-programmed routes and performed a controlled touchdown without manual intervention. This flight confirmed the operation of the flight control laws required to stabilise a tailless flying-wing aircraft. Multiple subsequent flights were conducted during the following development phase. These tests verified high-speed automatic takeoff and landing, autonomous navigation, and stable flight performance in the flying-wing configuration. 

A further milestone occurred on December 15, 2023, when the demonstrator completed another flight trial at Chitradurga in a tailless configuration. Avionics, aerodynamic control systems, and flight software were upgraded for the trial. The UAV also demonstrated autonomous landing using onboard sensors and navigation data rather than ground radar or external landing aids. The aircraft’s structure is built from lightweight carbon composite material manufactured domestically and equipped with integrated sensors that monitor structural health. These sensors track loads and detect structural stress during flight operations. The demonstrator programme, therefore, validates airframe materials, avionics, and autonomous flight behaviour needed for the future Ghatak UCAV. 

Long-term planning associated with the programme indicates that unmanned combat aircraft will complement conventional fighters within India’s future air combat structure. Vision 2047 places unmanned aircraft alongside crewed fighters in a combined operational framework. The aircraft is expected to support strike operations, reconnaissance missions, and suppression of enemy air defence networks while reducing risks to pilots in heavily defended environments. Potential missions include manned-unmanned teaming in which drones operate ahead of fighters such as Tejas Mk2 or other future jets such as the AMCA. The aircraft could also carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance tasks in addition to strike operations. The current proposal for 60 units therefore represents the first operational step toward fielding a domestically developed stealth unmanned combat aircraft in Indian service.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.