IAF to Acquire 6 Tapas Drones, Lead Military Acquisition for Made-in-India UAVs

In a significant move to enhance the indigenous unmanned surveillance capabilities of the Indian defence forces, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has proposed the acquisition of 10 Tapas drones from the central government. According to defence officials, six of these drones will be allocated to the Indian Air Force, while the remaining four will be assigned to the Indian Navy. The IAF will spearhead the induction and acquisition process for these drones.

Indigenous Development and Manufacturing

The Tapas drones, classified as medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones, are developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). They will be manufactured by a consortium comprising Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Although these drones have not yet fully met the defence forces' requirements, their limited induction is expected to drive further upgrades and refinements.

Current Capabilities and Future Enhancements

During trials, the Tapas drones reached an altitude of 28,000 feet and demonstrated the ability to fly for over 18 hours. However, they fell short of the Joint Services Qualitative Requirements, which demand flight capabilities at 30,000 feet for more than 24 hours. Despite these limitations, the Tapas drones are expected to enhance the IAF’s unmanned surveillance on the northern and western fronts.

Support for Indigenous Defence Production

The IAF has shown strong support for the "Make in India" initiative in defence. In addition to the Tapas drones, the IAF has placed or is in the process of placing orders for 180 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A and 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), amounting to approximately ₹1.6 lakh crore.

Delivery and Future Developments

The consortium of BEL and HAL is expected to expedite the delivery of the Tapas drones, with the first unit ready within 24 months of signing the contract. The ongoing Tapas project, led by the Aeronautical Development Establishment Laboratory, continues to focus on meeting the operational requirements and enhancing the system’s capabilities.

IAF's Existing and Future Drone Fleet

The IAF currently operates a fleet of Israeli-origin drones, including the Searcher, Heron Mark-1, and Mark-2. Additionally, there are plans to induct American Predator MQ-9B drones as part of a tri-services acquisition program. The introduction of the indigenous Tapas drones will complement these existing assets and contribute to a more robust surveillance infrastructure.

Navy's Use of Tapas Drones

The Indian Navy plans to utilize the Tapas drones for surveillance activities over the maritime zone, enhancing its ability to monitor and secure India's extensive coastline and maritime interests.

In summary, the proposed acquisition of Tapas drones marks a critical step towards bolstering India’s unmanned surveillance capabilities with indigenous technology. This initiative not only supports the national defence strategy but also promotes domestic defence manufacturing under the Make in India campaign.