In a significant boost to India’s drive for self-reliance in military technology, the Indian Army’s Western Command has successfully tested an indigenously developed long-range drone capable of operating in electronic warfare (EW)-contested environments.
The trial, conducted on Friday (December 19, 2025) at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan, marked a key milestone in enhancing the Army’s unmanned aerial capabilities.
What is the fixed-wing drone that was tested?
The fixed-wing drone, with an operational range of around 100 kilometres, was tested by the Kharga Corps’ artillery division.
Developed jointly by Chennai-based startups and Army engineers from the artillery arm, the platform is designed to remain operational even when adversaries attempt to jam, spoof, or disrupt communications and navigation systems.
Indian Army’s Western Command General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar witnessed the trials. “The trial marked a key step towards self-reliance in critical drone technologies,” the Army said in a post on its official X handle, underscoring the importance of indigenous innovation under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
What are EW-resilient drones?
Electronic warfare-resilient drones are built to function in hostile electromagnetic environments where GPS and radio frequency links are under attack.
Such systems rely on artificial intelligence-enabled mission management, onboard computing, visual and inertial navigation, and pre-programmed routes, allowing them to complete missions without continuous operator input.
They also employ anti-jamming communication techniques such as frequency hopping, mesh networking and low-probability-of-intercept signals.
Why have drones become critical to modern warfare?
Drones have become central to modern warfare, playing critical roles in surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, communications and logistics.
The Indian Army is drawing lessons from recent conflicts, including Operation Sindoor earlier this year and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, to refine its doctrines and tactics.
How is the Indian Army strengthening its drone capabilities?
In recent months, the Army has conducted multiple field exercises focused on drone employment across diverse terrains.
Alongside inducting a wide spectrum of UAVs — from handheld tactical systems to long-range platforms — the Army is intensifying collaboration with domestic industry and strengthening training to prepare for future drone-centric battlefields.