Indian Air Force’s Unmanned Stealth Fighters Acquisition
The Indian Air Force's initiative to acquire unmanned stealth fighters presents a substantial opportunity for the domestic industry, envisaged at ₹39,000 crore. This involves collaboration with private sector partners, sanctioned by the defence ministry under the Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft (RPSA) programme, formerly known as Ghatak.
Development-cum-Production Partner (DCPP) Model
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will employ a DCPP model.
- Bids will be invited from industry to build six prototypes, costing approximately ₹10,000 crore.
- These prototypes will pave the way for the serial production of over 60 unmanned stealth fighters to form four squadrons.
Key Features and Goals
- The aircraft aim to be ready for induction within eight years.
- They are expected to contain more than 80% indigenous content.
- The aircraft will be capable of deploying locally developed weapons, including:
- Future versions of Astra long-range air-to-air missiles.
- Next-generation air-to-ground systems under development by DRDO.
- Designed to mimic fighter jets in size, powered by a jet engine, and featuring stealth characteristics.
Strategic Development
- The project is being developed alongside the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
- Both platforms aim to operate in conjunction as part of a manned-unmanned teaming strategy, a crucial aspect of Vision 2047.
- The development model is similar to the AMCA programme, with Tata Advanced Systems, Bharat Forge, and Larsen & Toubro being key industry participants.
Future Prospects
- Formal tenders to select industry partners for the RPSA project are anticipated soon.
- The number of these aircraft is expected to increase as the military advances towards unmanned warfare solutions.
