India UAV Programs

Agha Sher

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What is the status on Rustom II? Haven't heard any updates since the crash.

Seems like the entire Rustom programme hasn't produced a UAV successfully
 

Rajendra Chola

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Sub-scale prototype.



Seems the flight software is still in early stages/taken from a conventional drone, requiring the vertical stabilizer. Still awaiting the flying wing software it seems.

There are 2 different videos. Indicating 2 different Protos. One with a vertical stabilizer. One without. Check the video of last 5 seconds.
 

Paro

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Sub-scale prototype.



Seems the flight software is still in early stages/taken from a conventional drone, requiring the vertical stabilizer. Still awaiting the flying wing software it seems.
What is the power source?
 

Gessler

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There are 2 different videos. Indicating 2 different Protos. One with a vertical stabilizer. One without. Check the video of last 5 seconds.

I doubt it - most likely its hard to see from that angle due to poor quality/bitrate of the video.
 

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New Delhi: The Central government is now considering the acquisition of an indigenous long-range unmanned aerial vehicle after putting the American predator drone deal on hold due to a push for the Make in India initiative.


Armed with strike capabilities, the Indo-Israeli long-range armed UAV is being developed by a private Indian firm in partnership with an Israeli defence manufacturer.


The American predator drone deal was put on hold and a committee headed by a Lieutenant General was asked to review the entire deal which was coming out to be very expensive at around USD 4.5 billion for 30 drones.

“With the deal not moving ahead and almost all import cases being put on hold, we are now considering an armed UAV developed by an Indian private defence firm along with an Israeli defence manufacturer,” top government sources told ANI.


India was planning to acquire 30 American Predator high-altitude long-endurance drones equipped with strike capability, including missiles, which were to be equally distributed among the three services.


All three services have requirements for these armed drones which can be used for surveillance as well as attacking enemy targets from standoff distances.


Almost all the defence deals planned through the import route had either been scrapped or put on hold by the Defence Ministry on the directions of the Prime Minister’s Office in favour of indigenous weapon systems.


India currently operating two predator drones which were hired on lease from an American firm and they have been helping the Navy to keep track of activities in the Indian Ocean Region.


India has acquired 12 American P-8I anti-submarine warfare and surveillance planes for keeping an eye on the IOR and was working on getting six more planes.


However, after the government’s instructions on import programmes, the government would soon decide on the project too shortly.
 

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New Delhi: The Central government is now considering the acquisition of an indigenous long-range unmanned aerial vehicle after putting the American predator drone deal on hold due to a push for the Make in India initiative.


Armed with strike capabilities, the Indo-Israeli long-range armed UAV is being developed by a private Indian firm in partnership with an Israeli defence manufacturer.


The American predator drone deal was put on hold and a committee headed by a Lieutenant General was asked to review the entire deal which was coming out to be very expensive at around USD 4.5 billion for 30 drones.

“With the deal not moving ahead and almost all import cases being put on hold, we are now considering an armed UAV developed by an Indian private defence firm along with an Israeli defence manufacturer,” top government sources told ANI.


India was planning to acquire 30 American Predator high-altitude long-endurance drones equipped with strike capability, including missiles, which were to be equally distributed among the three services.


All three services have requirements for these armed drones which can be used for surveillance as well as attacking enemy targets from standoff distances.


Almost all the defence deals planned through the import route had either been scrapped or put on hold by the Defence Ministry on the directions of the Prime Minister’s Office in favour of indigenous weapon systems.


India currently operating two predator drones which were hired on lease from an American firm and they have been helping the Navy to keep track of activities in the Indian Ocean Region.


India has acquired 12 American P-8I anti-submarine warfare and surveillance planes for keeping an eye on the IOR and was working on getting six more planes.


However, after the government’s instructions on import programmes, the government would soon decide on the project too shortly.
No words to describe the American greed. $150millions for a predator drone? That's preposterous. I thought Greeks buying 3 SeaGuardian for $400 millions was foolish but India's UAV deal tops that. A healthy decision on Indians' part. That money can feed many indigenous products which will contribute to the country's independence.
 

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New Delhi: The Central government is now considering the acquisition of an indigenous long-range unmanned aerial vehicle after putting the American predator drone deal on hold due to a push for the Make in India initiative.


Armed with strike capabilities, the Indo-Israeli long-range armed UAV is being developed by a private Indian firm in partnership with an Israeli defence manufacturer.


The American predator drone deal was put on hold and a committee headed by a Lieutenant General was asked to review the entire deal which was coming out to be very expensive at around USD 4.5 billion for 30 drones.

“With the deal not moving ahead and almost all import cases being put on hold, we are now considering an armed UAV developed by an Indian private defence firm along with an Israeli defence manufacturer,” top government sources told ANI.


India was planning to acquire 30 American Predator high-altitude long-endurance drones equipped with strike capability, including missiles, which were to be equally distributed among the three services.


All three services have requirements for these armed drones which can be used for surveillance as well as attacking enemy targets from standoff distances.


Almost all the defence deals planned through the import route had either been scrapped or put on hold by the Defence Ministry on the directions of the Prime Minister’s Office in favour of indigenous weapon systems.


India currently operating two predator drones which were hired on lease from an American firm and they have been helping the Navy to keep track of activities in the Indian Ocean Region.


India has acquired 12 American P-8I anti-submarine warfare and surveillance planes for keeping an eye on the IOR and was working on getting six more planes.


However, after the government’s instructions on import programmes, the government would soon decide on the project too shortly.
Shall i say it?(i told you so) ;) ;) ;)
 

Nilgiri

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No words to describe the American greed. $150millions for a predator drone? That's preposterous. I thought Greeks buying 3 SeaGuardian for $400 millions was foolish but India's UAV deal tops that. A healthy decision on Indians' part. That money can feed many indigenous products which will contribute to the country's independence.

The sticker price apparently was not solely just the UAVs but lot of further weapon + networking assurances and provisions (these were not released to public domain). Bit of extra features car salesman thing going on.

However those have likely been adjudged not worth the (extra) cost asked either....compared to what can be done with more established Israeli and French routes (and India own capacity and RnD).
 

Nilgiri

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Shall i say it?(i told you so) ;) ;) ;)

It might have been the plan all along as it makes the most sense given India already set up good relationship with Israel in heron and harop etc.

But with the rise of Quad etc, India likely wants to approach US wherever possible first to say "we didn't dismiss it right away" etc.

Boeing and others are investing in big way in India increasingly after all.
 

Rodeo

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It might have been the plan all along as it makes the most sense given India already set up good relationship with Israel in heron and harop etc.

But with the rise of Quad etc, India likely wants to approach US wherever possible first to say "we didn't dismiss it right away" etc.

Boeing and others are investing in big way in India increasingly after all.
I don't understand the difficulty of developing UAVs. Our ANKA drone has been flying since 2010 and TB2 is from 2014. India is a country who can produce fighter jets, helicopters, supersonic cruise missiles etc. So, why developing unmanned aerial vehicles proved so difficult? Is it the money or the management or the will?
 

Paro

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It might have been the plan all along as it makes the most sense given India already set up good relationship with Israel in heron and harop etc.

But with the rise of Quad etc, India likely wants to approach US wherever possible first to say "we didn't dismiss it right away" etc.

Boeing and others are investing in big way in India increasingly after all.
Shall i say it?(i told you so) ;) ;) ;)


Adani & Elbit systems got into JV a few months ago. Elbit systems is already a supplier of satellite subsystems to ISRO.

The only thing predator drones provided apart from what India already has is beyond visual satcoms to operate in IOR and even link up with p8i. Of course, the other is in the shadow bill of secret equipment.

Considering Adani Elbit complex might manufacture these drones I assume they worked out come capability in that area.
 

Nilgiri

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I don't understand the difficulty of developing UAVs. Our ANKA drone has been flying since 2010 and TB2 is from 2014. India is a country who can produce fighter jets, helicopters, supersonic cruise missiles etc. So, why developing unmanned aerial vehicles proved so difficult? Is it the money or the management or the will?

Other things were prioritised broadly from 1980s to the present day. These priorities (many of which you mention) absorbed the best human capital in the defence establishment at the time (scarce resource and the needs of say missiles were especially critical to deploy them here since these simply could not be imported at all).

The voids you see like UAV, tanks had the less optimal people running them so you have permeation of various defence lobbies at larger level too....since these avenues actually establish in these.

Thankfully major changes happening in UAV side now at least. India private sector is growing much more capable than it was in prior decades.
 

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