DRDO Ghatak UCAV Programme Advances with 60 Units Recommended

10 Mar 2026 CW Team

Ghatak, described as a stealth-capable unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), is based on a flying-wing configuration designed to present a low radar cross-section and to carry weapons internally. Once operational, the aircraft is intended to conduct deep-strike missions that penetrate defended airspace to engage high-value targets while avoiding risk to pilots. The system is being designed to operate autonomously or alongside manned aircraft and to suppress or destroy enemy air defences including radar stations and missile systems.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has set out a technology and capability road map titled Vision 2047 and senior leadership has indicated that unmanned systems are not expected to fully replace manned fighters in the foreseeable future while emphasising institutional support for the UCAV programme. Officials said the IAF views unmanned assets as complementary tools that can perform tasks where human risk is unacceptable and that work is under way on multiple research and development projects. The UCAV is seen as an integral component of future force structure.

DRDO has previously carried out flight trials of an Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator that officials describe as a precursor to the Ghatak UCAV. A trial in December 2023 at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga used a tailless configuration and demonstrated autonomous landing without reliance on ground radars or infrastructure. The demonstrator, whose maiden flight took place in July 2022, was developed by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment and featured an indigenous lightweight carbon composite structure with embedded sensors for health monitoring. Progress on the demonstrator underpins ongoing development of the full UCAV programme.

The Defence Procurement Board of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recommended that the proposal to procure 60 Ghatak unmanned combat aerial vehicles be taken forward, a defence source told the publication. The Ghatak programme is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the armed forces and now awaits approval from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). The recommendation marks a notable step in efforts to field indigenous combat drones. Ghatak, described as a stealth-capable unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), is based on a flying-wing configuration designed to present a low radar cross-section and to carry weapons internally. Once operational, the aircraft is intended to conduct deep-strike missions that penetrate defended airspace to engage high-value targets while avoiding risk to pilots. The system is being designed to operate autonomously or alongside manned aircraft and to suppress or destroy enemy air defences including radar stations and missile systems. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has set out a technology and capability road map titled Vision 2047 and senior leadership has indicated that unmanned systems are not expected to fully replace manned fighters in the foreseeable future while emphasising institutional support for the UCAV programme. Officials said the IAF views unmanned assets as complementary tools that can perform tasks where human risk is unacceptable and that work is under way on multiple research and development projects. The UCAV is seen as an integral component of future force structure. DRDO has previously carried out flight trials of an Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator that officials describe as a precursor to the Ghatak UCAV. A trial in December 2023 at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga used a tailless configuration and demonstrated autonomous landing without reliance on ground radars or infrastructure. The demonstrator, whose maiden flight took place in July 2022, was developed by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment and featured an indigenous lightweight carbon composite structure with embedded sensors for health monitoring. Progress on the demonstrator underpins ongoing development of the full UCAV programme.

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

Real Estate

29 Jul 2026

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Equipment

29 Jul 2026

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..