The Government of India has initiated a procurement process for a compact unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system intended for the elite Garud Special Forces of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The move is aimed at strengthening high-altitude surveillance and operational capability across extreme terrains and varied climatic conditions.
The Defence Ministry has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking a “Micro UAV” system that can operate at altitudes of up to 16,400 feet above mean sea level and withstand harsh environmental conditions. The platform is designed to function in temperatures ranging from minus 20 degrees Celsius to plus 50 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for deployment in challenging operational zones.
According to officials, the proposed system will support day and night surveillance, target acquisition, and real-time situational awareness for Special Forces missions. It is expected to be an upgraded version of an existing system used by the Garud unit, with improved range and endurance capabilities to enhance mission effectiveness in forward and hostile environments.
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Key performance requirements for the UAV include a minimum operational range of 15 kilometres and endurance of at least 60 minutes. The system is designed to be man-portable, operable by a two-person crew, and capable of autonomous vertical take-off and landing. It will also feature secure encrypted communication, multiple operational modes including autonomous and manual control, and compatibility with GPS-denied environments as well as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
The system will integrate multiple components such as aerial vehicles, electro-optical/infrared payloads, ground control stations, remote video terminals, power units, and radio frequency data links. The project places strong emphasis on domestic participation, encouraging Indian vendors, startups, and MSMEs under the Buy (Indian–IDDM) category with a minimum of 60% indigenous content.
The initiative aligns with India’s broader Atmanirbhar Bharat vision to boost indigenous defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign systems. It also follows earlier plans for an unmanned combat search and rescue aircraft for the IAF, aimed at supporting missions in difficult terrains, including high-altitude logistics and rescue operations where conventional helicopters face limitations.
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