Pratham Pro UAV Sets New Benchmark In High-Altitude Industrial And Surveillance Operations

Pratham Pro is a high-endurance UAV developed by KD Aerospace Systems in Noida, India, designed for industrial mapping, surveillance, and high-altitude operations.

It combines rugged engineering with advanced payload integration, including LiDAR and EO-IR systems, making it one of the most capable indigenous drones for demanding environments.

The Pratham Pro is built around a rapid-deployment, foldable frame that allows transition from a compact transport case to flight readiness in under a minute. This design ensures portability and quick assembly, which is critical for operations in remote or hostile terrain.

The rugged composite structure is engineered to withstand harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures ranging from minus 20°C to plus 60°C, and altitudes up to 5,500 metres above mean sea level. Redundant GPS systems and foldable propellers further enhance reliability and ease of transport.

Endurance is a defining feature of the Pratham Pro. It offers up to 70 minutes of flight time with maximum payload and up to 90 minutes without payload, making it suitable for extended missions.

The operational range is over 5 kilometres, with wind resistance up to 12 m/s, ensuring stability in mountainous and high-altitude environments. The maximum take-off weight is 6.5 kilograms, allowing it to carry heavy-duty industrial sensors and advanced payloads.

Payload integration is a key strength. The UAV supports EO-IR dual vision payloads, including a 4K electro-optical camera, thermal imaging options with resolutions of 640×480 and 1280×720, and a laser rangefinder with a reach of up to 3,000 metres.

It also features an 80× zoom capability, with 40× optical zoom, enabling detailed surveillance and mapping. The system is fully optimised for LiDAR surveying, generating precise 3D point clouds for industrial and environmental applications.

The UAV is designed for multiple operational modes, including autonomous, manual, and target tracking. Mission planning can be conducted remotely, with automated flight paths and real-time data transmission.

This reduces operator workload and enhances mission efficiency. The platform is also compatible with advanced geolocation modules such as PPK, ensuring high-precision mapping and surveying.

KD Aerospace Systems, formerly known as Karman Drones, has positioned the Pratham Pro as part of India’s growing indigenous UAV ecosystem. The company secured DGCA Type Certification for its earlier Pratham UAV, affirming compliance with Indian aviation standards.

Building on this foundation, the Pratham Pro addresses the demand for high-altitude surveillance and industrial applications. The firm also develops tethered aerial robots capable of 24-hour continuous operations, expanding its portfolio for defence and civilian use.

The Pratham Pro reflects India’s push for self-reliance in aerospace and defence manufacturing under the Make in India initiative.

Its indigenous composite airframe reduces weight while enhancing durability, minimising maintenance needs. Future prospects include integration with AI-driven analytics for enhanced threat detection, swarm operations, and expanded industrial applications.

By combining endurance, payload versatility, rugged design, and indigenous manufacturing, the Pratham Pro stands as a benchmark in India’s UAV development, suitable for both defence and civilian sectors requiring reliable aerial solutions in challenging environments.

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Adani Defence And DRDO To Develop Next-Generation AEW&C System For Indian Air Force

Adani Defence & Aerospace has entered into a landmark agreement with the Defence Research and Development Organisation to jointly develop India’s next-generation Airborne Early Warning & Control system, designated AEW&C MK-2, for the Indian Air Force.

This initiative represents a decisive step in advancing indigenous airborne surveillance capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

The agreement covers the development, manufacturing and integration of airborne mission systems on six modified Airbus A321 aircraft. These aircraft will be converted into advanced surveillance platforms, forming the backbone of India’s future airborne early warning capability.

The program also includes integrated logistics, maintenance, repair and overhaul, and technical support for a period extending up to thirty years, ensuring long-term sustainability and operational readiness.

The induction of AEW&C MK-2 is scheduled for 2032–33. This timeline reflects the scale and complexity of the undertaking, which involves not only advanced mission systems but also comprehensive lifecycle support.

The collaboration brings together DRDO’s expertise in defence research and mission systems with Adani Defence & Aerospace’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, systems integration and lifecycle management.

AEW&C aircraft are often described as the “eyes in the skies” due to their critical role in modern air warfare. They provide long-range surveillance, early threat detection and real-time command and control.

By enabling faster and better-informed operational decisions, they enhance situational awareness, force coordination and network-centric operations. The AEW&C MK-2 will significantly expand the Indian Air Force’s ability to monitor and respond to threats across extended ranges.

This program marks the first time a private Indian company has been entrusted with the development, integration and lifecycle support of an airborne mission platform of such scale and complexity. It underscores the growing role of private industry in India’s defence modernisation and highlights the confidence placed in Adani Defence & Aerospace to deliver mission-critical systems.

Globally, only five countries—the United States, France, Israel, China and Sweden—have successfully developed indigenous AEW&C capabilities. With AEW&C MK-2, India will join this select group, reinforcing its position as a major defence technology power. The achievement will also strengthen India’s strategic autonomy in airborne surveillance.

The platform will be integrated with the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command & Control System, a nationwide command-and-control network that links surveillance, air defence and operational assets in real time.

This integration will enhance national air defence by enabling faster decision-making, seamless battlespace coordination and improved operational responsiveness.

The agreement represents a milestone in India’s defence industrial base, combining public-sector research with private-sector innovation. It is expected to deliver one of the most advanced indigenous airborne surveillance platforms in the world, tailored to India’s strategic requirements and operational environment.

ANI

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Apollo Micro Systems Secures Navy Order For Indigenous SAVIOR‑ASW Prototype

Apollo Micro Systems Limited has secured a landmark Make‑II Prototype Sanction Order from the Indian Navy to design and demonstrate the Semi‑Submersible Autonomous Vessel for Intelligence, Operations and Reconnaissance – Anti‑Submarine Warfare (SAVIOR‑ASW), Economic Times reported.

This marks India’s first indigenous semi‑submersible autonomous platform dedicated to persistent ASW surveillance, strengthening underwater defence capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat program.

Apollo Micro Systems announced on Wednesday that it has been shortlisted and awarded the Prototype Sanction Order by the Indian Navy. The order covers the design, development, and prototype demonstration of SAVIOR‑ASW, an unmanned semi‑submersible maritime platform intended for intelligence, operations, and reconnaissance missions. The award formally positions the Hyderabad‑based company within the domain of autonomous maritime and underwater warfare systems.

The SAVIOR‑ASW system is engineered to operate autonomously for extended durations. It will employ advanced acoustic sensors, AI and machine learning‑based target classification, and encrypted multi‑channel communication systems.

These features will enable persistent surveillance of submarines and underwater threats, transmitting intelligence directly to naval command centres without requiring human presence onboard.

The vessel is designed to patrol silently beneath the sea surface. A sophisticated hydrophone array will allow it to detect submarines and other undersea activity. Intelligence gathered will be relayed continuously to shore‑based and ship‑borne command centres, enhancing India’s maritime situational awareness. This approach is more cost‑effective than deploying traditional warships for surveillance, while also enabling multiple autonomous vessels to operate simultaneously for wider coverage.

The Make‑II category under the Defence Acquisition Procedure allows Indian companies to develop fully funded indigenous prototypes without government cost obligations during the development phase. Procurement follows only after successful demonstration of the prototype. This pathway is considered one of India’s most progressive defence procurement mechanisms, encouraging innovation and self‑reliance.

Apollo Micro Systems emphasised that the SAVIOR‑ASW program represents a significant step forward in indigenous underwater warfare capabilities.

The company highlighted that about 68 per cent of India’s trade value moves by maritime routes, with nearly 42 per cent of the world’s crude oil passing through the Indian Ocean region. Persistent surveillance platforms such as SAVIOR‑ASW are therefore critical to safeguarding India’s maritime boundaries and economic lifelines.

Managing Director Baddam Karunakar Reddy described the award as a defining moment for the company, noting that it reflects the Navy’s confidence in Apollo Micro Systems’ ability to deliver advanced indigenous technologies. He added that the program aligns with India’s broader ambition to build sovereign maritime capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign systems.

The announcement also had an immediate impact on Apollo Micro Systems’ share price. On Wednesday, the stock opened higher at ₹392.90 against the previous close of ₹390.45, even as benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early trading. Shares rose as much as 4 per cent, hitting an intraday high of ₹406 before stabilising around ₹405.50, reflecting investor optimism about the company’s expanding defence portfolio.

The SAVIOR‑ASW initiative comes amid Apollo Micro Systems’ broader expansion in defence manufacturing. Earlier this month, the company secured fresh orders worth ₹134.35 crore from DRDO, the Indian Navy, defence PSUs, and private sector clients. It also announced a major acquisition of Premier Explosives Ltd, strengthening its presence in energetic materials and space programs.

The global market for autonomous maritime systems is projected to reach $10 billion by 2032. India’s entry into this sector through indigenous platforms such as SAVIOR‑ASW positions the country as a credible player in the evolving underwater warfare domain.

The program is expected to provide the Navy with cost‑effective, scalable, and persistent surveillance capabilities, while reinforcing India’s strategic autonomy in defence technology.

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India Quietly Building A Multi-Layered Himalayan Surveillance Network To Counter China

India is quietly constructing a sophisticated surveillance shield across the Himalayas to counter China. This effort stretches from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh and represents a fundamental shift in India’s defence strategy.

Instead of relying solely on visible assets such as fighter aircraft and missile systems, New Delhi is building an integrated, multi-layered surveillance architecture designed to provide persistent situational awareness in one of the world’s most difficult military environments.

The transformation accelerated after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which reshaped India’s security outlook along the Line of Actual Control. China has since expanded military infrastructure across Tibet and Xinjiang, including new airbases, hardened shelters, drone facilities and integrated air-defence networks.

These developments compelled India to rethink traditional surveillance models and move towards persistent sensor dominance, aiming to detect aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles and missile launches as early as possible.

India’s surveillance network is layered to overcome terrain and weather challenges. At the highest level, satellites form the backbone. CARTOSAT satellites monitor infrastructure and deployments, RISAT provides Synthetic Aperture Radar imaging through cloud and snow, EOS ensures persistent observation, and EMISAT strengthens electronic intelligence by tracking radar emissions.

Future military satellite programs are expected to enhance ELINT, SIGINT and long-range tracking, feeding directly into the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) for near-real-time awareness.

Airborne platforms add another layer. India is expanding its fleet of AEW&C aircraft, including Netra Mk1 and Phalcon AWACS, with the upcoming Netra Mk2 program expected to deliver larger radar apertures, longer endurance and improved tracking of stealth targets. Flying above mountain ranges, these aircraft overcome terrain limitations that ground-based radars face.

On the ground, India is deploying Mountain Radars in Gulmarg and Nagaland, strengthening surveillance over Ladakh, Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh and the eastern Himalayas. These are likely the first phase of a broader plan to establish a continuous radar chain across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

Complementing them are Arudhra Medium Power Radars integrated with IACCS, Ashwini AESA radars designed for mobility and rapid deployment, and specialised systems like Bharani and Low-Level Lightweight Radar Mk-II to detect helicopters, drones and low-flying aircraft exploiting valleys.

Passive surveillance technologies add resilience. Electronic intelligence stations and passive sensors monitor radar emissions and communications without transmitting signals, making them harder to detect.

These systems are crucial against stealth aircraft such as China’s J-20 and emerging J-35. India’s approach focuses on identifying stealth presence through VHF radars, multi-band networks and sensor fusion before handing targets to other systems.

At the centre of this architecture lies IACCS, the digital nervous system of India’s air defence. It integrates satellites, radars, AWACS, electronic sensors and fighter aircraft into a unified operational picture, enabling commanders to monitor threats and coordinate rapid responses.

The next stage will involve artificial intelligence to process vast data streams, automatically correlating inputs, predicting flight paths, prioritising threats and recommending defensive actions.

This surveillance ecosystem reflects India’s transition towards network-centric warfare. Facing China’s expanding Tibetan airbases at Hotan, Ngari Gunsa, Shigatse and Lhasa Gonggar, supported by drones and stealth aircraft, India is building one of the most advanced high-altitude surveillance networks in the region.

By combining satellites, airborne systems, ground radars, passive sensors and IACCS, India aims to achieve information superiority, continuous surveillance and faster decision-making, creating an invisible yet formidable shield across the Himalayas.

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India’s AS‑HAPS Program Bridges Surveillance Gap Between Drones And Satellites

India’s ₹15,000 crore Air Ship-based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS‑HAPS) program is designed to bridge the surveillance gap between drones and satellites, using solar‑powered helium airships at 20–25 km altitude to deliver months of persistent monitoring.

The Defence Ministry is deliberately fostering competition among private partners, while DRDO’s 2025 test at 17 km has already validated the concept.

India has identified a critical gap in aerial surveillance. Drones cannot sustain operations at extreme altitudes, and satellites move too quickly to provide continuous coverage. To address this, the Airship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite program has been launched, aiming to deploy stratospheric airships capable of hovering for months over a single location.

The airships will operate between 20 and 25 km altitude, powered by solar panels during the day and batteries at night. This endurance allows them to deliver persistent surveillance, secure communications, and electronic intelligence gathering.

Unlike satellites, which require costly launches and follow fixed orbits, these airships can be redeployed, maintained more easily, and provide higher resolution imagery from lower altitudes.

The initiative carries a budget of ₹15,000 crore and is being steered by the Directorate of Operations (Remote) of the Indian Air Force. It falls under the Make-I procurement category, which allows the government to fund up to 70% of development costs. At least two private sector partners will be selected to compete in developing prototypes, ensuring innovation and efficiency.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation has already conducted a significant trial in May 2025, launching an airship to 17 km altitude over Madhya Pradesh with an instrumental payload. This validated the physics and operational feasibility of the system, paving the way for full‑scale development.

The AS‑HAPS program is expected to enhance India’s border monitoring, particularly along the Line of Actual Control with China and the frontier with Pakistan. It will also strengthen maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean Region and provide secure military communications. Persistent surveillance will allow detection of troop movements, monitoring of maritime traffic, and real‑time intelligence relay.

Globally, similar efforts have faced engineering challenges. Europe’s EUROHAPS project and Thales Alenia’s Stratobus are still in prototype stages, with completion expected in the early 2030s. The United States has tested high‑altitude airships but has no operational system. China’s program remains secretive but highly active, with high‑altitude balloons already observed worldwide, including over India.

India’s approach is notable for its deliberate creation of competition among private partners. This strategy is intended to accelerate development and ensure robust solutions. Companies such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and NewSpace Research & Technologies are expected to play key roles, supported by dedicated manufacturing facilities inaugurated in 2025.

The strategic imperative for AS‑HAPS stems from lessons learned during the Doklam standoff in 2017, which exposed gaps in real‑time monitoring. By filling the niche between drones and satellites, India aims to achieve continuous situational awareness, secure communications, and enhanced defence posture.

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Indian Army Begins Operating Indigenous Solar-Powered MAPSS Drone After ₹168 Crore Order

Open-source illustrative photo      

The Indian Army in Jan 2026, had taken a decisive step in advancing its surveillance capabilities by placing a ₹168 crore order with Bangalore-based start-up NewSpace Research & Technologies for its Medium Altitude Persistent Surveillance System (MAPSS), a fully electric, solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle.

This marks the first deployment of solar-powered surveillance UAVs by the armed forces, moving beyond battery-powered and tethered drones currently in use.

The contract originates from the Defence Ministry’s Innovations for Defence Excellence programme, highlighting the growing role of Indian start-ups in meeting next-generation operational needs through indigenous research and development.

Founded by Indian Air Force veteran Sameer Joshi along with Julius Amrit and Dilip Chabria, NewSpace Research & Technologies has steadily built credibility with a series of contracts and successful demonstrations.

Joshi emphasised that the order validates years of focused research and development at the company, which has consistently delivered cutting-edge capabilities comparable to global standards.

The MAPSS represents an evolution from the company’s ongoing solar-powered High Altitude Pseudo Satellite program, which has already achieved national endurance records, including flights exceeding twenty-seven hours at altitudes over twenty-six thousand feet and another lasting more than twenty-four hours in challenging conditions.

These trials at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga demonstrated reliable solar energy harvesting even on low-sunlight days.

Sources within the defence establishment confirmed that MAPSS has been adapted for medium-altitude missions after operational demonstrations in high-altitude areas with the Army.

The drone is designed to provide long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, electronic intelligence, and communications relay support. Its quiet electric propulsion and low thermal signatures minimise detection risks, while its vantage point covers terrains ranging from the Himalayas to the deserts of Rajasthan.

The UAV features lightweight construction, solar recharging for extended endurance, and modular payloads with advanced mission autonomy, enabling operations in GNSS-denied zones. This persistence reduces logistical demands in remote areas, allowing continuous overwatch for border patrols, artillery spotting, and communication extension in denied environments.

The MAPSS will complement existing medium-altitude long-endurance platforms, providing networked ISR at forward-level formations.

The procurement is a major success for the iDEX initiative, launched in 2018 to bridge innovators with the armed forces. NewSpace Research & Technologies has previously secured contracts for swarm drones, tethered surveillance systems, and high-altitude platforms.

In 2023, the company delivered one hundred heterogeneous swarm drones to the Army under fast-track procurement, making India one of the first nations to operationalise high-density swarms. More recently, it has delivered tethered drone solutions and is developing advanced platforms such as the Abhimanyu collaborative combat aircraft for the Navy.

With over two hundred start-ups incubated and procurement orders worth thousands of crores placed for indigenous solutions, iDEX has successfully transitioned designs and prototypes into fielded systems. 

The MAPSS represents the first sovereign hardware delivery via iDEX’s UAV development vector, while NewSpace Research & Technologies’ journey from swarm contracts to advanced pseudo-satellite platforms exemplifies the ecosystem’s maturity.

Most importantly, the Indian Army has already begun operating the MAPSS drone, integrating it into its surveillance and reconnaissance missions. This operational deployment underscores the rapid transition from prototype to fielded system and demonstrates the Army’s confidence in indigenous solar-powered UAV technology.

The MAPSS is now actively contributing to persistent surveillance across India’s vast and diverse borders, providing a sustainable and strategic edge in modern warfare.

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Horus Innovations Develops Sarvsetu Tactical UAV With Eight-Hour Endurance

Delhi-based Horus Innovations is advancing the development of its tactical fixed-wing UAV, Sarvsetu, which is engineered for endurance of up to eight hours and designed to serve dual roles in battlefield intelligence and communication relay.

The platform is positioned as a cost-effective, indigenous solution for modern defence operations requiring persistent aerial coverage.

Sarvsetu is a high-endurance, high-altitude tactical UAV built to perform advanced long-range Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions. It is equally capable of functioning as an airborne communication relay, bridging critical gaps caused by terrain masking, foliage interference, or earth curvature.

This dual capability ensures uninterrupted command and control links between ground stations and low-altitude strike assets, particularly during precision terminal operations.

The UAV has a wingspan of approximately 3.2 metres and is constructed using composite materials including carbon fibre and glass fibre, which provide strength while keeping the all-up weight at just over seven kilograms.

It cruises at 70 kilometres per hour, with a maximum speed of 100 kilometres per hour. Sarvsetu can operate at altitudes of up to 3,000 metres above ground level and 5,500 metres above sea level, with wind resistance up to 35 kilometres per hour. Its endurance of eight hours allows for sustained missions without frequent recovery cycles.

The operational range extends to 120 kilometres, supported by multiple frequency bands including 1200 MHz, 5800 MHz, and 868 MHz. Launch methods are versatile, with options for vehicle-based, hand, or runway-assisted deployment. The UAV is equipped with advanced vision systems, including night, thermal, and daylight imaging, enabling operations across diverse environments and conditions.

Applications of Sarvsetu span ISR missions, signal relay, and battlefield communication support. By acting as a network hub in the sky, it ensures robust, low-latency video and command links, which are critical for coordinating precision strikes and maintaining situational awareness.

This makes it particularly valuable in contested or remote theatres where conventional communication infrastructure is unavailable or unreliable.

Horus Innovations, headquartered in Delhi, is focused on indigenous innovation in unmanned aerial systems. The company designs and manufactures advanced UAVs tailored to modern defence requirements, emphasising reliability, autonomy, and mission adaptability.

Its broader portfolio includes platforms for surveillance, border security, mapping, and industrial applications, reflecting a commitment to strengthening national security capabilities through homegrown technology.

Beyond product development, Horus Innovations also invests in ecosystem building. It offers drone pilot training programmes and lab setups for educational institutions, ensuring that future engineers and operators are equipped with practical skills in UAV design, assembly, and operations. This holistic approach positions the company not only as a manufacturer but also as a contributor to India’s growing drone industry.

Sarvsetu’s development reflects the increasing demand for tactical UAVs that combine endurance, versatility, and indigenous engineering. By integrating ISR capabilities with communication relay functions, Horus Innovations has created a platform that addresses critical gaps in battlefield operations while remaining cost-efficient and adaptable to multiple mission profiles.

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Speed 4 Defence Develops Indigenous Aerial Decoy System To Mislead Enemy Surveillance

Mumbai-based Speed 4 Defence is developing an indigenous aerial decoy system designed to mislead enemy surveillance and targeting networks, thereby enhancing the survivability of India’s frontline assets. The system replicates visual, thermal, and electronic signatures of genuine military equipment, creating convincing false targets to divert adversary attention.

The aerial decoy system is intended to provide a strategic layer of protection for critical defence infrastructure and frontline military assets. By presenting adversaries with multiple potential targets, commanders can force opponents to expend valuable reconnaissance resources while increasing uncertainty about the location of actual equipment. This deception complicates enemy decision-making and reduces the likelihood of successful strikes.

The system is lightweight and portable, enabling rapid deployment and repositioning with minimal manpower. This mobility allows military units to quickly establish deception networks across operational areas, which is particularly valuable in dynamic battlefield conditions where force locations and tactical requirements frequently change.

Its adaptability ensures effective operation across varied terrains such as deserts, plains, and mountainous regions, making it suitable for diverse mission profiles ranging from fixed-site protection to tactical battlefield deception.

By accurately simulating the signatures of real defence assets, the decoy system disrupts enemy intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

It can mislead drones, satellites, and precision-guided munitions, thereby diluting enemy firepower and increasing the survivability of genuine assets. Such deception operations can significantly reduce the effectiveness of enemy strikes by directing weapons toward false targets rather than operational assets.

The development of this system reflects India’s growing emphasis on indigenous defence technologies and battlefield deception as a critical component of modern warfare. Military planners increasingly recognise that decoy systems not only protect high-value assets but also impose psychological and operational costs on adversaries.

By forcing opponents to allocate additional resources toward verification and surveillance, decoys can slow down enemy campaigns and reduce their available munitions for later strikes.

Globally, decoy technologies have gained prominence in conflicts where they have been used to exhaust enemy air defence missiles and complicate targeting cycles. India’s adoption of such systems demonstrates its intent to integrate deception into its broader defence strategy, ensuring resilience against technologically advanced adversaries.

Speed 4 Defence’s innovation is expected to complement other indigenous programmes, including UAVs and electronic warfare systems, thereby strengthening India’s layered defence ecosystem.

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Indian Navy Enhances Destroyer Defences With MF-STAR Radar And Collaborative Engagement Capability

The Indian Navy has quietly but decisively enhanced the defensive and offensive capabilities of its frontline destroyers by integrating the MF-STAR AESA radar with the AK-630M CIWS and enabling Collaborative Engagement Capability (CEC).

This upgrade vastly improves protection against sea-skimming missiles while allowing warships to share sensor and weapon data across the fleet, creating a networked combat environment.

The Kolkata and Visakhapatnam class destroyers now employ the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radar, a solid-state S-band AESA system developed by Israel’s IAI Elta. This radar replaces the legacy MR-123 fire control radar for the AK-630M close-in weapon system.

By doing so, the CIWS benefits from the MF-STAR’s advanced tracking and guidance features, ensuring faster target acquisition and more accurate engagement of incoming threats. The radar can detect sea-skimming missiles at ranges beyond 25 kilometres and high-altitude aircraft at over 250 kilometres, providing a crucial early warning window.

The MF-STAR radar is capable of tracking hundreds of targets simultaneously, offering 360-degree coverage and robust resistance to electronic jamming. Its ability to provide mid-course updates and guidance illumination for missiles makes it a central node in the ship’s combat management system. This integration transforms the AK-630M from a last-ditch defence weapon into a more responsive and precise system, strengthening survivability against saturation attacks.

The Visakhapatnam class, building upon the Kolkata design, incorporates stealth shaping, improved automation, and advanced electronic warfare suites. Each vessel carries Barak-8 long-range surface-to-air missiles, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, and a range of anti-submarine and anti-surface weapons. With MF-STAR acting as the primary sensor, these destroyers can seamlessly coordinate their layered defence systems, from CIWS to long-range interceptors.

The introduction of Collaborative Engagement Capability marks a strategic leap. CEC allows Indian warships to share sensor data and targeting information in real time. This means a missile launched from one ship can be guided using radar tracks from another, extending engagement envelopes and ensuring no platform operates in isolation.

For example, a BrahMos missile could be fired from one destroyer based on targeting data from another vessel or even an airborne platform, greatly enhancing flexibility and lethality.

CEC also strengthens fleet-wide situational awareness. By networking sensors across multiple ships, the Indian Navy creates a distributed radar grid, reducing blind spots and enabling coordinated responses to complex threats.

This is particularly vital against low-flying cruise missiles or stealth aircraft, where detection and interception windows are narrow.

These upgrades align with India’s broader naval modernisation strategy, which emphasises indigenous systems, electronic warfare resilience, and multi-domain integration. The synergy of MF-STAR with CIWS and the adoption of CEC ensures that the Kolkata and Visakhapatnam class destroyers remain formidable assets in contested maritime environments. They are now better equipped to defend against saturation missile attacks, conduct cooperative engagements, and project power across the Indian Ocean.

The quiet nature of this upgrade belies its significance. By eliminating older radar systems and embracing networked warfare, the Indian Navy has taken a decisive step towards future-ready combat operations. The destroyers now embody a fusion of advanced sensors, precision weapons, and collaborative tactics, setting a new benchmark for regional naval power.

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Archer‑NG Transformed Into India’s Indigenous Multi‑Role Combat UAV

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is transforming the Archer‑NG unmanned aerial vehicle from a surveillance‑focused platform into a fully weaponised combat drone, capable of striking both ground and aerial targets with indigenous precision munitions and advanced air‑to‑air missiles, India Today outlined this transformation.

This marks a decisive leap in India’s indigenous UAV modernisation drive.

The Archer‑NG was initially conceived as a medium‑altitude long‑endurance drone dedicated to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Its current phase of development continues to emphasise advanced ISR capabilities, integrating high‑resolution electro‑optical and infrared sensors, synthetic aperture radar, and secure high‑bandwidth communication links. These systems are designed to provide real‑time battlefield awareness and enhance operational decision‑making.

The platform is expected to achieve endurance exceeding eighteen hours and operate at service ceilings above thirty thousand feet. This performance will allow it to conduct long‑duration missions across diverse operational environments, ranging from border surveillance to maritime domain awareness.

The next stage of development is focused on weaponisation. Archer‑NG is being configured to carry precision‑guided munitions, anti‑tank guided missiles, and air‑to‑air weapons. Reports confirm that integration of the ASTRA MK-1 beyond visual range air‑to‑air missile is planned, giving the UAV the ability to intercept enemy aircraft, helicopters, and drones at ranges up to one hundred and ten kilometres.

Coupled with this, the drone will be able to deploy Smart Anti‑Airfield Weapons and laser‑guided bombs for precision ground strikes.

Artificial intelligence is being embedded into the system for autonomous target recognition and swarming functionality. This will enable Archer‑NG to coordinate with manned fighter aircraft and other unmanned systems in network‑centric warfare scenarios. Such integration reflects India’s doctrinal shift towards intelligentised combat operations where unmanned systems act as both sensors and shooters.

A senior DRDO scientist has described this transformation as a move from an “eye in the sky” to a “sensor‑shooter node”. This encapsulates the strategic emphasis on combining persistent surveillance with rapid target acquisition and strike capability within a single mission profile.

The program is being spearheaded by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited and other domestic partners. Development trials are expected to continue through 2027–2028, with the surveillance variant undergoing certification before the weaponised version enters operational testing.

Once inducted, Archer‑NG will fill the gap between reconnaissance drones and manned fighter aircraft, providing the Indian armed forces with a versatile combat‑ready UAV.

The twin‑boom design powered by a single engine, showcased at Aero India 2025, highlights the engineering approach behind the platform. Its payload capacity of approximately three hundred kilograms ensures flexibility in carrying diverse weapons and sensors.

The integration of an advanced AESA radar will further enhance both surveillance and fire‑control functions, allowing simultaneous tracking of multiple targets while resisting electronic jamming.

This transformation of Archer‑NG underscores India’s broader push for indigenous defence production and self‑reliance in critical aerospace technologies. By combining endurance, precision strike capability, and autonomous intelligence, the UAV is set to become a cornerstone of India’s future aerial warfare strategy.

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Switchable Satellite: India’s Space Utility Belt Arrives

XDLINX builds software-defined satellites, where one base design can be configured for different missions, from imaging to communications to navigation

XDLINX Space Labs, a Hyderabad-based start-up, is set to launch a self-funded imaging satellite in late 2026, marking a bold step in India’s private space sector, according to a report by India Today.

The mission will showcase its software-defined satellite technology, capable of switching roles between imaging, communications, and navigation, with a second collaborative mission planned for early 2027.

XDLINX Space Labs has announced that it will fly a largely self-funded imaging satellite in the last quarter of 2026. This decision reflects the company’s determination to prove its technology in orbit without waiting for external customers.

The satellite will carry an optical payload, essentially a camera that captures images of Earth in visible light from hundreds of kilometres above.

The purpose of this mission is to qualify the company’s capability in space. Engineers often stress that while designs may appear flawless on the ground, true validation only comes once the system has operated successfully in orbit. By funding the mission itself, XDLINX is backing its own technology and demonstrating confidence in its platform.

The satellite is intended to launch aboard ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), which is designed to carry compact satellites into low Earth orbit. XDLINX has applied for a launch slot, though the final manifest will be determined by the launch provider.

What sets XDLINX apart is its focus on software-defined satellites. Unlike traditional satellites that are hard-coded for a single mission, these platforms can be reconfigured through software to perform different tasks. This flexibility allows one base design to be adapted for imaging, communications, or navigation, reducing costs and development time. It is an approach already adopted by major global manufacturers but remains rare among Indian firms.

The company has demonstrated speed in execution. Its first satellite, Janus-1, was built in just ten months, a fraction of the usual timeline, and was successfully launched on ISRO’s SSLV. This rapid development cycle underscores XDLINX’s ability to deliver missions quickly.

Another innovation is the use of edge computing onboard its satellites. Instead of transmitting every captured image to Earth, the satellite filters data in orbit, sending down only useful frames. This reduces bandwidth usage and power consumption, avoiding the inefficiency of transmitting repetitive or irrelevant imagery.

The second mission is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. Unlike the self-funded 2026 flight, this will be a collaborative launch, with XDLINX carrying payloads from partner companies. The mission is contingent on rocket availability but highlights the company’s ambition to conduct two missions within eighteen months.

Beyond these missions, XDLINX has been expanding its infrastructure and partnerships. In May 2026, it inaugurated its Advanced Space Systems Integration and Testing Lab in Hyderabad, attended by ISRO Chairman Dr V. Narayanan. 

he facility includes precision optical benches, an Attitude Determination and Control System lab, and a high-grade clean-room for satellite assembly. This lab strengthens India’s sovereign satellite infrastructure and aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which calls for 75% indigenous subsystems in missions.

XDLINX is also finalising the Elevation-1 project, featuring a miniaturised space-grade E-band payload for high-speed communications. Additionally, it is preparing a 190 kg-class satellite with multi-spectral optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar payloads, scheduled for launch aboard a SpaceX Transporter mission in late 2026. These projects demonstrate the company’s growing role in international collaborations and advanced payload integration.

The company’s strategy is to commoditise deep space technology by offering ready-to-launch satellite platforms. It has already developed multiple bus platforms and is contracted to deliver a sovereign constellation of 15 satellites within two years. Partnerships with Japan’s BULL Co., Ltd. and Sisir Radar further highlight its ambition to pioneer sustainable operations and private L-Band SAR satellites.

By funding its own missions and building reconfigurable satellites, XDLINX is positioning itself as a key player in India’s evolving private space ecosystem. Its approach reflects confidence, innovation, and a determination to move quickly in a sector traditionally dominated by long timelines and government-led initiatives.

Agencies

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Kepler Aerospace To Power Indigenous Swarming ISR Constellation With Advanced ADCS Modules

Bangalore-based Kepler Aerospace is advancing indigenous space technology by developing critical Altitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) modules. These systems will power a six-satellite Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Swarm Constellation for the Indian Armed Forces’ Defence Space Agency.

Kepler secured a ₹38 Crores (Approx) iDEX Prime contract from the Ministry of Defence to build this autonomous swarming architecture. The constellation is targeted for deployment in 2027, marking a significant milestone in India’s sovereign space capability.

The satellites will operate collectively and make autonomous decisions, mimicking a beehive to track signals and heat signatures in ninety-minute orbits without requiring constant human intervention. This swarming capability represents a leap in autonomous space operations.

The custom ADCS modules are the mechanical and algorithmic core enabling the satellites to communicate, adjust orientation, and execute precision formation-flying. Designed completely in India, they replace foreign-sourced avionics and reduce reliance on external supply chains.

The modules feature man-independent self-tasking abilities, ensuring continued intelligence collection even under adversarial anti-satellite threats. This autonomy is crucial for resilience in contested orbital environments.

To successfully manoeuvre six satellites in close proximity, Kepler designed a highly specialised indigenous avionics stack. The actuators and control interfaces utilise localised reaction wheels for fine-tuned orientation adjustments. They also integrate magnetorquers and thruster drivers to counter external orbital disturbances.

The navigation array combines high-precision star trackers, GNSS receivers, and MEMS Inertial Measurement Units. These provide the micro-arcsecond accuracy required for tight formation-flying, a capability rarely achieved in indigenous systems.

The flight computers and data-handling systems feature a low-power, radiation-tolerant processing core. This core processes high-volume imagery, signals, and control algorithms locally, ensuring operational continuity even in harsh space conditions.

Instead of individual platforms relying on humans for commands, the six-satellite constellation operates via an autonomous Multi-INT Fusion Engine. The constellation acts as a unified organism. If one satellite detects an electronic emitter or heat signature, it autonomously commands its neighbours to redirect their sensors. This process requires zero ground intervention.

Operating in Low Earth Orbit, the swarm passes over targets every ninety minutes. They fuse multi-sensor datasets—including Electro-Optical, Radio Frequency, and Infrared—into a single intelligence picture. This persistent revisit cycle ensures comprehensive surveillance coverage.

If an adversary disables a single satellite using anti-satellite capabilities, the remaining assets automatically recalculate and balance the orbital network to prevent data loss. This resiliency is a defining feature of the architecture.

The Innovations for Defence Excellence platform is the driving force behind this programme. Managed by the Defence Innovation Organisation, iDEX fast-tracks venture-backed technology into the Indian Armed Forces.

For the Defence Space Agency, this project represents its first major indigenous swarming infrastructure. It adds crucial capability alongside India’s larger Space Based Surveillance-III military programs, reinforcing sovereign operational infrastructure.

Kepler’s work demonstrates how India is closing critical gaps in defence space technology. By indigenously developing ADCS modules and swarming AI, the country is reducing dependence on foreign suppliers while building resilient, autonomous orbital systems.

This initiative also aligns with global trends where distributed constellations and autonomous swarming are increasingly seen as the future of military space operations. India’s adoption of such architectures ensures its armed forces remain competitive in the evolving domain of space warfare.

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Safran And SatSure Forge Indo-French Geospatial Intelligence Partnership

Safran Electronics & Defence and SatSure have signed a landmark MoU to co-develop advanced geospatial intelligence solutions for India, announced during the France-India Year of Innovation.

This partnership merges Safran’s mission-critical AI expertise with SatSure’s satellite data analytics, aiming to enhance defence, environmental monitoring, and national decision-making capabilities.

French aerospace and defence giant Safran Electronics & Defence has joined forces with Indian Earth intelligence company SatSure to create integrated geospatial intelligence solutions tailored for India. The collaboration was formalised at Eurosatory 2026 in France, underscoring the growing Indo-French technological partnership.

The agreement brings together Safran.AI, a subsidiary specialising in trusted artificial intelligence for mission-critical applications, and SatSure’s vertically integrated geospatial ecosystem.

SatSure’s subsidiary KaleidEO provides capabilities spanning Earth observation satellite payloads through to actionable intelligence, complementing Safran’s AI-driven operational focus.

The partnership will deliver end-to-end GEOINT solutions that combine satellite imagery, advanced AI models, and operational intelligence delivery. These solutions are designed to accelerate intelligence processing, improve situational awareness, and support faster decision-making across defence, environmental monitoring, and other strategic sectors.

Safran.AI’s CEO Sébastien Fabre emphasised that the future of geospatial intelligence lies in the close integration of satellite data and artificial intelligence. He noted that the collaboration would strengthen sovereignty, security, and operational excellence, not only for India but also for global customers.

Prateep Basu, founder and CEO of SatSure, highlighted that Earth intelligence is only as valuable as the decisions it enables. He explained that SatSure’s full-spectrum approach to the data value chain, combined with Safran’s AI built for demanding environments, positions the partnership at the intersection of global AI capability and India’s growing Earth observation ambitions.

The collaboration is strategically aligned with India’s push for self-reliance in defence and space technologies. It also reflects France’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in innovation, particularly in aerospace, defence, and artificial intelligence.

Safran, with over 1,10,000 employees and €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025, brings global leadership in aviation, defence, and space markets, while SatSure represents India’s rising geospatial intelligence sector.

The companies did not disclose financial details of the partnership, but the scope suggests significant investment in research, development, and deployment of GEOINT solutions. The collaboration is expected to support India’s ambitions in Earth observation, strengthen its defence intelligence infrastructure, and provide advanced tools for environmental monitoring and disaster management.

This partnership marks a critical step in Indo-French technological cooperation, reinforcing India’s strategic autonomy in geospatial intelligence while embedding French expertise into India’s innovation ecosystem.

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Parshu Tactical Defence Successfully Conducts Sea Trials of Indigenous AI-Powered USV

Parshu Tactical Defence LLP has successfully completed sea trials of its indigenous AI-powered Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), marking a major milestone in India’s maritime defence modernisation.

The trials validate the vessel’s advanced autonomy, endurance, and mission versatility, positioning it as a critical asset for coastal security and surveillance.

The Chennai-based start-up has been developing advanced USVs tailored for maritime operations, designed to operate in both fully autonomous and semi-automatic modes. The vessel demonstrated reliable performance during sea trials, showcasing its ability to cover extended ranges exceeding 500 kilometres while carrying payloads of over 300 kilograms. This makes it suitable for missions such as coastal surveillance, reconnaissance, logistics support, and perimeter patrol.

The USV integrates Level-4 autonomy, enabling mission-aware navigation and GNSS-resilient operation through SLAM/INS systems.

It is equipped with multi-sensor fusion, including LIDAR, RADAR, EO/IR, and thermal imaging, ensuring persistent surveillance even in contested maritime zones. The platform also features encrypted satellite uplinks for secure remote command and control, with human-in-loop authorisation for kinetic actions, ensuring compliance with international safety standards.

The vessel’s hull is built from recyclable HDPE with stealth coatings, engineered to withstand sea state 5 conditions. Its self-righting mono-hull architecture enhances survivability, while hybrid jet and electric propulsion systems provide both endurance patrol and silent tactical approaches.

The modular payload bay supports ISR modules, Remote-Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS), and kinetic strike payloads of up to 250 kilograms, making it adaptable for diverse mission profiles.

Parshu Tactical Defence has established its own shipyard in Mumbai, ensuring indigenous design and manufacturing capabilities. The company has been incubated under IIT-Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation’s deep-tech program, receiving funding, mentorship, and access to advanced research labs. This support has accelerated its technological development and reinforced its commitment to the Make in India initiative.

The trials underscore India’s growing emphasis on indigenous unmanned systems. Parshu’s USV project complements parallel efforts by other Indian start-ups such as Torus Robotics in AI-powered ground vehicles and Zuppa in drone technology. Together, these initiatives represent a rapid expansion of AI-driven defence platforms across land, air, and sea domains.

Global interest in USV technology is rising, with defence planners in Africa, the Gulf region, and India considering the deployment of hundreds of such vessels. Parshu’s USV, with NATO certification and proven trials in European waters including Helsinki, positions India as a credible player in the international unmanned maritime systems market.

Founder Priyanshu Joshi has emphasised the company’s vision of building fully indigenous systems to eliminate foreign dependency and enhance India’s strategic autonomy. The successful sea trials demonstrate that Indian start-ups are capable of delivering mission-ready solutions aligned with evolving global defence needs.

This achievement strengthens India’s maritime security architecture, offering persistent surveillance, rapid response to asymmetric threats, and cost-effective operations across its vast Exclusive Economic Zone. It also highlights the role of start-ups in complementing state-backed defence programs with agile innovation and indigenous manufacturing.

Agencies

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