- To enhance the Indian Army's long-range precision strike capabilities, the Ministry of Defence has approved the procurement of loitering munitions—essentially one-way attack drones—and signed contracts worth approximately ₹1,577 crore with Tata Advanced Systems Limited and NIBE Private Limited.
- Under this deal, the Army will be supplied with 84 loitering munition systems, 840 drones, and the necessary associated equipment.
- Loitering munitions are unmanned aerial systems used in modern warfare that can hover in the air for a period while searching for a target and launch a direct attack once a suitable target is identified.
- For this reason, they are often referred to as "suicide drones" or "one-way attack drones." A key feature of these systems is that they combine surveillance and precision strike capabilities on a single platform.
- It is reported that these new systems will have a deep-strike capability exceeding 100 kilometers, enabling the Indian Army to conduct precision strikes against critical, distant targets.
- According to defence experts, this procurement marks a significant step towards strengthening the Army's modern warfare and precision strike capabilities.
- Under the terms of the contract, Tata Advanced Systems Limited has secured 64 percent of the total order, while NIBE Private Limited has received 36 percent.
- Both companies are required to complete the delivery of the 840 loitering munitions within 12 months from the date of the advance payment.
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