Defense analysts doubt IAF’s drone project after Tejas, Arjun failures
New Delhi,: Defense analysts have expressed doubt over the Indian Air Force’s new plan to develop long-range kamikaze drones with industry help, citing past failures of the indigenous Tejas fighter jet and Arjun tank projects.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the IAF on June 12 issued a limited tender enquiry for indigenously designed, developed and manufactured one-way attack drones. The IAF’s 5 Base Repair Depot at Sulur, Coimbatore, will serve as the nodal agency for the project.
Under the plan, the IAF seeks a fixed-wing drone capable of operating at 16,000 feet, carrying a 30 kg modular payload, with day-night capability and an autonomous autopilot system. The force has also stipulated the drone must be free of any Chinese-origin components and that it will retain intellectual property rights for future upgrades.
Defense analysts said the IAF’s direct involvement in developing a weapons platform marks a departure from its usual procurement model, but they questioned the industry’s capability to deliver. They pointed to the decades-long delays and performance issues with the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and the Arjun Main Battle Tank, which remain dependent on foreign components despite being touted as “Make in India” successes.
“After the failures of Tejas and Arjun, confidence in India’s local defense industry remains low,” analysts said. They added that the IAF’s continued reliance on Israeli-origin Harop kamikaze drones reflects a lack of trust in domestic systems. The IAF currently uses the Israeli Harop for one-way attack missions.
