Home / Blueprint Defence Magazine / Reports / A stealth fighter drone, when ready

A stealth fighter drone, when ready

It weighs about 13 tonnes and its USP is that it will carry precision-guided munitions with warheads

3 min read
Updated On: Jan 10 2026 | 2:45 AM IST
Satarupa Bhattacharjya
Ghatak, an advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicle (Photo: DRDO)

Ghatak, an advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicle (Photo: DRDO)

India is developing an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), named Ghatak (“lethal”), which is thought to be among its most advanced domestically built modern-war platforms. The Indian Air Force (IAF) would be the first user of the UCAV that has been designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). 
Through a technology demonstrator — the stealth wing flying testbed — the DRDO checked the high-speed drone’s aerodynamics, as well as its control and stealth features in flight mode. The flight test was successful in 2022. The UCAV is expected to be autonomous with elements of human intervention.  
The Ghatak prototype weighs about 13 tonnes, lighter than a fighter jet, but larger than many other UCAVs. It is powered by a turbofan engine, which would be a dry variant of the indigenous Kaveri engine in the future, a former official told the media earlier. The UCAV will carry precision-guided munitions with warheads in its weapons bay. It would fly above 30,000 feet.  
The DRDO is understood to have done the high-altitude engine testing in Russia. India does not have such a facility. It is unclear what stage of development the UCAV currently is.  

Also Read

Ukraine deploys low-cost interceptor drones to counter Russia's air attacks

  R K Narang, a former IAF helicopter pilot and now military academic who has studied drones, said the DRDO has got the flying configuration right, and it should ensure that the UCAV’s development is aligned with the requirements of the users. The Ghatak (when ready) will boost the IAF’s capability, owing to its low radar cross-section area and deep-strike ability. 
  “As militaries around the world move to versatile platforms, India’s UCAV project should include a Naval variant other than for the Air Force,” Narang said. 
  But the project seems to be a low-key effort with funding issues at this time, he said, adding that the development of a full-scale Ghatak is yet to be approved. 
  In 2016, the sanctioned cost to design the Ghatak and develop “critical advanced technologies” for it and the advanced medium combat aircraft programme (the country’s attempt to make a fifth-generation fighter jet that has a different overall budget) was ₹231 crore ($25.74 million), as per a 2017 government statement. By comparison, the Akash-NG (“new generation”) missile system received ₹470 crore. 
  Biju Uthup, former project director, Ghatak, wrote in an article for Livefist, a defence website, in 2024, the lab that initially worked on it (he did, too) should have continued after the successful completion of the conceptual and feasibility study, and the ongoing preliminary design stage.  
The DRDO has transferred the project to another internal lab. 
Premium ContentPremium ContentSubscription ExpiredSubscription Expired

Your access to Blueprint has ended. But the story is still unfolding.

No longer a subscriber? There’s a new reason to return.

Introducing Blueprint - A magazine on defence & geopolitics

Introducing Blueprint - A magazine on defence & geopolitics

Like what you read? There’s more in every issue of Blueprint

From military strategy to global diplomacy, Blueprint offers sharp, in-depth reportage on the world’s most consequential issues.

Exclusive pricing for Business Standard digital subscribers

Choose your plan

Exclusive Pricing

Choose your plan

58% off
₹6,000

Blueprint Digital

₹2,500

annual (digital-only)

₹208/Month

70% off
₹12,000

Blueprint Complete

₹3,500

annual (digital & print)

₹291/Month

41% off
₹6,000

Blueprint Digital

₹3,500

annual (digital-only)

₹291/Month

62% off
₹12,000

Blueprint Complete

₹4,500

annual (digital & print)

₹375/Month

Subscribe NowSubscribe NowRenew NowRenew Now

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Browse all Plans

Here's what's included:

  • Access to the latest issue of the Blueprint digital magazine

  • Online access to all the upcoming digital magazines along with past digital archives

  • * Delivery of all the upcoming print magazines at your home or office

  • Full access to Blueprint articles online

  • Business Standard digital subscription

  • 1-year unlimited complimentary digital access to The New York Times (News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter, The Athletic)

Written By :

Satarupa Bhattacharjya

Satarupa Bhattacharjya is a journalist with 25 years of work experience in India, China and Sri Lanka. She covered politics, government and policy in the past. Now, she writes on defence and geopolitics.
First Published: Jan 10 2026 | 2:45 AM IST

In this article : Drones UAV

Next Story