NewSpace Research, a Bengaluru-based start-up has delivered swarm drones to Indian Army, which makes the Army the first major armed force in the world to operationalise these high-density swarm drones.
This delivery may possibly be the world’s first operational high density swarming UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) induction for military applications, especially given that most swarm drone research is yet to be operationalised across the world. The swarm of 100 drones is capable of hitting targets at least 50 kms away into enemy territory.
The swarming systems were ordered under the emergency procurement (EP) and show that India has taken a global lead with induction of a cutting edge ‘Made in India’ technology which is at par, if not ahead, of its peers across the world. They added that this is a part of the government’s Aatmanirbhar effort to indigenise critical and disruptive military technologies.
These drones are capable of carrying bombs of a particular weight and can home into a target, like moving armoured columns, artillery positions, and infantry bunkers and attack. Swarm drones are the solution for a closely contested airspace where individual drones can be taken down. The IAF will also induct operational swarming UAS in the near future.
The drones delivered by NewSpace, and a follow-on homogeneous swarm drone delivery from Raphe Mphibr in days ahead, will be inducted into the mechanised forces where they will be used for surveillance and attack missions.
Source: Current Affairs