The Indian Army developed and validated an FPV drone equipped with an impact-based, kamikaze-role anti-tank munition.

Key Points

• Research suggests the Indian Army, with TBRL, developed a low-cost kamikaze FPV drone for anti-tank missions, enhancing tactical warfare.

• It seems likely that FPV drones play crucial roles in modern warfare, offering precision strikes and cost-effectiveness, as seen in Ukraine's use against Russia.

• The evidence leans toward these drones being vital for asymmetric warfare, with Ukraine producing thousands, impacting Russian strategies.

Indian Army's Achievement in FPV Drones

The Indian Army, through its Fleur-De-Lis Brigade and in collaboration with the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh, has achieved a significant milestone by developing and validating a First-Person View (FPV) drone equipped with an impact-based, kamikaze-role anti-tank munition. This project, initiated in August 2024, is the first of its kind for the Indian Army, marking a step toward enhancing its capabilities in tactical drone warfare. The drone is designed for low-cost, high-impact aerial strikes, reducing dependency on foreign suppliers and offering a cost-effective solution compared to systems like the U.S.-made Switchblade or Israel's Harop.

Role in Modern Warfare

FPV drones, controlled in real-time via a first-person perspective, are revolutionizing modern warfare by providing precision, maneuverability, and affordability. In the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainian forces have extensively used FPV kamikaze drones to target Russian positions, vehicles, and personnel, demonstrating their effectiveness. These drones, costing around $400 each, can carry up to 1.5 kg of explosives, reach speeds of up to 60 km/h, and operate over distances of up to 8 km. Their ability to execute surprise attacks has forced Russia to seek countermeasures, highlighting their strategic importance.

Implications for India

This development enhances the Indian Army's ability to counter armored threats, aligning with global trends in unmanned systems. The successful testing under simulated conditions confirms its combat readiness, positioning India to adapt to emerging warfare tactics.

Introduction to the Achievement

On March 28, 2025, the Indian Army highlighted a groundbreaking achievement by the Indian Army's Fleur-De-Lis Brigade, in collaboration with the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh. It shows the successful development, testing, and validation of a First-Person View (FPV) drone equipped with an impact-based, kamikaze-role anti-tank munition, marking it as the first of its kind within the Indian Army. This initiative, launched in August 2024, underscores India's push for indigenous defense technology, aiming to enhance tactical drone warfare capabilities.

Further details reveal that the drone features a customized, mission-specific warhead, potentially adaptable for anti-personnel, anti-armor, or thermobaric variants. The development is noted for its cost-effectiveness. Rigorous trials under simulated battlefield conditions have confirmed its combat readiness, with the drone's performance comparable to or exceeding off-the-shelf FPV systems.

Technical Specifications and Development Process

While exact specifications such as range, speed, and payload capacity are not publicly disclosed, the drone is described as compact, lightweight, and tailored for high-impact aerial strikes. The collaboration with TBRL, a DRDO lab specializing in ballistics and munitions, suggests that the warhead development is a key innovation, ensuring the drone's effectiveness against armored targets. The project's focus on indigenization aligns with India's broader defense strategy, reducing reliance on imported technologies and enhancing tactical flexibility.

Role of FPV Drones in Modern Warfare: Insights from Russia Ukraine War

To understand the significance of this development, it is instructive to examine the role of FPV drones in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. According to an article from Ukrainska Pravda, FPV drones, particularly kamikaze variants, have become a cornerstone of Ukrainian military operations. Produced in Ivano-Frankivsk by volunteer teams like Port Frankivsk, these drones cost approximately $400 each, made from Chinese spare parts, and can carry up to 1.5 kg of explosives. They achieve speeds of up to 60 km/h and have a range of up to 8 km without a repeater, making them ideal for precision strikes.

The Forbes article further elaborates on their impact, noting that Ukraine has formed tactical drone assault units, purchasing 50,000–100,000 FPV drone components from China and training over 1,000 operators. These drones, modified with warheads like RPG-7 or RKG-3 grenades, have been used in various attacks since July 2022, targeting Russian trenches, tanks, and personnel carriers. Their cost-effectiveness, with prices ranging from $355 to $421, contrasts sharply with more expensive systems like the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, which costs over $2,000. Monthly production estimates suggest Ukraine could produce 10,000 to 12,000 drones, with some reports indicating up to 100,000 units, creating a significant challenge for Russian forces.

The Forbes article also highlights Russian concerns, with estimates suggesting an imminent attack by 50,000–100,000 drones could overwhelm front lines. Russian countermeasures include radio jamming, shotguns like the Saiga-12, and camouflage, but experts like Samuel Bendett note the need for integrated counter-unmanned aerial system (CUAS) defenses. Videos of drone strikes, such as those diving through doorways or stalking tanks under bridges, illustrate their tactical versatility and psychological impact on enemy forces.

Strategic Implications for the Indian Army

The Indian Army's development of its FPV kamikaze drone aligns with these global trends, offering a low-cost, high-impact solution for countering armored threats. Given India's geopolitical context, particularly its borders with Pakistan and China, both of which possess significant armored capabilities, this technology enhances operational flexibility in contested terrains. The drone's impact-based munition, designed to detonate upon collision, ensures effectiveness against tanks, mirroring the success seen in Ukraine's operations.

The project's emphasis on cost-effectiveness positions it as a scalable option for mass deployment, similar to Ukraine's strategy. This could provide the Indian Army with an asymmetric advantage, allowing it to challenge more heavily armored adversaries with precision and affordability. The collaboration with TBRL also highlights the importance of indigenous research, contributing to India's self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in defense technology.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The Indian Army's achievement in developing an FPV kamikaze drone is a testament to its adaptability to modern warfare dynamics. By drawing lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war, where FPV drones have proven decisive in precision strikes and psychological warfare, India is well-positioned to integrate these systems into its defense strategy. As unmanned systems continue to evolve, this initiative not only strengthens national security but also showcases India's growing expertise in defense innovation.