Indian Use of UAVs and UCAVs Maturing

[Major Shaitan Singh]

The Harop one way anti-radar "UCAV" more closely fits a loitering "cruise missile" description.

DRDO Rustom flight test (miniturised model)

India’s operational unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) appear to have all been purchased from Israel.

It seems India has avoided buying US Predators (mainly for reconnaissance) and armed Reapers because this would increase tensions with Pakistan as Pakistan sees these aircraft as tools of US oppression. There is a possibility that Pakistan might mistake a US Predator or Reaper operating in Pakistan for an Indian UAV/UCAV.

The Indian defence forces already have dedicated satellite links and channels that can be used by the attack UAVs.

The airframe design of India’s Herons, Harpies, Harop’s and DRDO Rustoms (under development) are very different from the Predator/Reapers – thus reducing the risk of Pakistani confusion.
India has been procuring unmanned drones since the India-Pakistan Kargil conflict in 1999. Israel apparently gave significant assistance to India during Kargil. I’m assuming this assistance was mainly in the intelligence area and could have included UAVs (including the IAI Scout or perhaps a more recent UAV).

Since 2000 India has inducted more than 100 UAVs.
In November 2005, media reports claimed that India was set to purchase some 50 Heron UAVs from Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) [did this sale go through?] to carry out reconnaissance missions on India’s mountainous borders with China and Pakistan, along India’s long coastal waters and perhaps internally in Maoist frequented areas.

Moves to acquire UCAVs gained momentum after the Mumbai terror attacks in 26 November 2008.

India may be planning a fleet of at least 25-30 UCAVs (perrhaps Rustoms, less likely Reapers see below) compared to fewer than five(?) now with such capabilities. Until now, India has never admitted to using UCAVs.

India has purchased some IAI Harpies and Harops (in 2009) which are one way UCAVs that incorporate a warhead and fly into their target. These usually use electronic and optical sensors to detect and destroy enemy radars. Their one way nature make them more like slow loitering propeller driven cruise missiles than true UCAVs. Interestingly the Harpy has also been sold to China (which would increase China’s “counter” Harpy capabilities) making it more likely that Indian Harpies would be intended for Pakistani targets.

DRDO Rustom

DRDO has been developing the Rustom, which, like the Harop, sports canards. The Rustom’s empty weight (1,800 kg) approaches that of the Reaper (2,200 kg) one indicator that it is envisage that the Rustom will carry a weapons load (hence a true UCAV). In its sensor-recce mode Rustom will be able to see the enemy territory up to a distance of 250 km.
There is an outside chance that India may attempt to buy American UAV and UCAVs given the deepening defence relations between the two countries. As mentioned previously Pakistani confusion over whether a UAV/UCAV in its airspace is Indian or American would raise dangerous scenarios. Hence US decisions to sell to India would certainly consider Pakistani reactions, which would be negative.
Buying Israeli (true two way) UCAVs or receiving Israeli advice in developing the Rustom poses no such strategic and geopolitical issues for India.

 

[chairborne ranger]

it would be a great idea to buy us drones.

1] they might shoot down USA's drones thinking they are ours.
2] They might not shoot our drones, thinking they belong to the usa,

i.e. the illusion can be made use of, if required