Indian Army Partners with Drone Federation India for UAS, Loitering Munition Plan

In a move poised to reshape India’s military preparedness and accelerate its drone ecosystem, the Indian Army, in collaboration with the Drone Federation India (DFI), on Tuesday unveiled its Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Loitering Munitions (LMs) at Bharat Mandapam.

The roadmap was launched in the presence of Lt Gen Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development & Sustenance), Maj Gen CS Mann, Additional Director General, and Smit Shah, President of DFI.

The initiative comes at a time when the nature of warfare is undergoing a decisive transformation, with recent global conflicts underscoring the role of unmanned systems as force multipliers in surveillance, precision strikes, logistics, and air defence. As drones compress decision-making timelines and extend operational reach, militaries worldwide are rapidly recalibrating their capabilities.

Recognising this shift, the Indian Army has taken a strategic step to clearly define its long-term requirements and align them with India’s domestic innovation ecosystem.

Developed by the Army Design Bureau, the roadmap offers detailed visibility into 30 drone and loitering munition types across five key operational categories—surveillance, strike, logistics, air defence, and specialised roles. It is expected to serve as a comprehensive blueprint for India’s defence innovation and indigenisation efforts.

Aimed at guiding industry, startups, academia, and research institutions, the roadmap seeks to align design and development efforts with real-world operational needs, enabling the creation of scalable and future-ready technologies.

Formulated through extensive internal consultations and assessments of evolving battlefield demands, the roadmap is designed to accelerate indigenous development, shorten production timelines, and enhance procurement readiness. As one of the largest institutional adopters of drone technologies in the country, the Army’s forward-looking approach is likely to significantly influence the trajectory of India’s unmanned systems sector.

Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Chief of Army Staff said recent conflicts have highlighted the central role of unmanned systems in modern warfare, adding that the roadmap reflects the Army’s commitment to building future-ready capabilities through structured engagement with industry and innovation ecosystems. He noted that clearly defined requirements would enable focused development and timely induction of critical technologies.

Smit Shah described the roadmap as a pivotal step in aligning India’s drone ecosystem with the operational needs of the armed forces, stating that it provides long-term visibility for industry stakeholders to invest with clarity and confidence. He added that it would strengthen India’s ability to develop globally competitive, indigenous unmanned capabilities.

The launch event saw participation from senior Army officials, industry leaders, startups, academia, and key stakeholders from the defence and technology sectors. The initiative is expected to serve as a crucial bridge between the armed forces and the domestic innovation ecosystem, supporting India’s broader goals of defence indigenisation and technological leadership.

Access to the detailed roadmap will be granted to eligible entities through a structured process involving formal undertakings and non-disclosure agreements.

About Drone Federation India (DFI):
Drone Federation India is an industry-led, non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing India’s drone ecosystem. With over 550 member companies and more than 5,500 professionals, it works closely with government, industry, and academia to support policy development, drive adoption, and promote indigenous innovation in unmanned aviation.