Revolutionising Warfare with Kamikaze Drones
India Inducts Kamikaze Drones: A New Frontier in Battlefield Technology : In a major technological upgrade, the Indian Army has inducted First Person View (FPV) kamikaze drones equipped with anti-tank payloads. These aren’t your average surveillance drones—they are precision strike weapons designed to destroy targets on impact. The induction marks a significant shift in how India approaches modern battlefield challenges.
What Makes Kamikaze Drones Special?
Kamikaze drones—also called loitering munitions or suicide drones—combine the functions of a missile and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). These drones are launched from mobile platforms. Once airborne, their wings and tail unfold to stabilize flight. What’s fascinating is that soldiers control them using tablet-style devices, offering a real-time First Person View (FPV) to navigate towards the target. The drone can hover for up to 45 minutes, patiently awaiting the perfect moment to strike.
Combat Tested, India Ready
These drones gained global attention during the Ukraine-Russia war, where they proved to be game-changers. Observing their impact, India decided to develop its own version. In August 2024, a project was initiated with the help of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh. Now, these drones are part of India’s evolving defense strategy, ready to neutralize tanks, bunkers, and armored vehicles with armour-piercing warheads that explode on impact at 115 mph.
How They Work: Simple Yet Powerful
The process begins with the drone being loaded into a mobile launcher. After launch, the drone’s wings unfold, and it begins scanning for targets. A soldier guides it in real time and once locked onto a target, the missile is armed remotely, and the drone dives in, retracting its wings before impact. The result is a high-precision strike that minimizes collateral damage.
Strategic Importance for India
India’s long borders and varied terrain make such technology vital. These drones are lightweight, cost-effective, and perfect for high-altitude warfare, urban combat, and anti-tank operations. Unlike traditional missiles, they allow for last-second target adjustments, making them incredibly reliable.
Static GK Snapshot
India Inducts Kamikaze Drones: A New Frontier in Battlefield Technology :
| Aspect | Details |
| Drone Type | Kamikaze / Loitering Munition |
| Indian Development Partner | Terminal Ballistics Research Lab (TBRL), Chandigarh |
| Year of Induction | 2025 |
| Hovering Time | Up to 45 minutes |
| Speed on Impact | 115 mph (approx. 185 km/h) |
| Control Mode | First Person View (FPV) via tablet device |
| Warhead Type | Anti-tank, Armour-Piercing |
| Global Use Case | Ukraine-Russia War |
| Indian Defence Utility | Tank destruction, bunker busting, border ops |
