The Indian Air Force and Navy have decided to acquire 10 Tapas drones – six for the Air Force and four for the Navy, underscoring their growing trust in Indigenous defence equipment. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Tapas drones reflect India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence technology. However, these drones do not meet the joint services’ qualitative requirements (JSQR) of 30,000 feet altitude and 24-hour endurance. Despite this, the armed forces have chosen to embrace these drones for their current capabilities of 28,000 feet altitude and 18-hour endurance. This decision reflects confidence in DRDO’s ongoing efforts to enhance drone performance and meet the demanding JSQR standards. Significantly, this procurement aligns with the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), a strategic move aiming to reduce dependency on foreign military equipment and promote domestic manufacturing.
The Need for Satcom Drones
Satcom-enabled drones offer a multitude of advantages over their line-of-sight (LOS) counterparts, making them an indispensable tool for modern military operations. The primary advantage of Satcom drones is their ability to operate over vast areas, including hostile and remote environments, without the limitations of LOS communication. This unique capability allows for the control and monitoring of drones from distant command centres, ensuring continuous operational coverage. A crucial benefit of Satcom is the ability to switch control to another ground station if the primary station is compromised or destroyed. This redundancy significantly enhances the survivability of drone operations, ensuring that missions can continue without interruption. Additionally, Satcom drones excel in transmitting real-time data to multiple command and control centres, thereby improving situational awareness and enabling more informed decision-making.
The Indian armed forces operate dozens of Israeli Heron Mk1 and Searcher Mk1 drones, which rely on LOS communication. The recent induction of four Heron Mk2 drones, equipped with enhanced capabilities and satcom, marks a significant upgrade. Furthermore, the Army and Navy have ordered four domestically produced Dhristi 10 Starliner UAVs, with two allocated to each service and deliveries already underway. The procurement of Tapas drones will further bolster the survivability and operational flexibility of the Indian armed forces’ drone fleet, enhancing their capability to perform diverse missions in challenging environments.
ISR Missions and Strategic Deployment
The Tapas drones are set to assume a critical role in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions along India’s western and northern borders. These regions, in light of the ongoing tensions and security challenges, are not just important but strategically vital. The high-altitude and long-endurance capabilities of the Tapas drones will ensure continuous monitoring of these sensitive areas, providing the armed forces with invaluable real-time intelligence, thereby reinforcing the urgency and necessity of their deployment.
In addition to border surveillance, the Navy is planning to deploy the technologically advanced Tapas drones in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This region is critical for safeguarding India’s maritime interests and ensuring the security of crucial sea lanes. The deployment of Tapas drones, with their advanced capabilities, will significantly enhance the Navy’s ability to monitor and patrol the vast maritime expanse, detect potential threats, and respond swiftly to any incidents. Notably, the Tapas drones can be operated from small runways, making them particularly suitable for deployment in island territories. By leveraging the advanced capabilities of Tapas drones, the Indian Navy can significantly improve its maritime domain awareness and strengthen its strategic posture in the region.
Future Requirements for MALE UAVs
India’s armed forces are increasingly requiring medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs to bolster their ISR capabilities. The induction of Hermes 900 drones alongside Heron Mk2 signifies a strategic push to diversify and upgrade the UAV inventory. Reports indicate that the armed forces plan to induct 91 drones, which could be either Heron Mk2 or Drishti 10 Starliner, emphasising partial or complete domestic manufacturing to align with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
While the Indian Army’s specific decision on Tapas procurement is yet to be made public, the Indian Air Force and Navy have clearly shown their preference for indigenous solutions by ordering the Tapas drones. This move marks the beginning of a crucial strategic evaluation phase, where the performance of these drones will be meticulously monitored and assessed. The feedback and data gathered during this period will be of utmost importance in shaping future procurement decisions.
Vinay Sadham
