India pushes self‑reliant drone development and defence‑industry overhaul

India is accelerating the development of indigenous loitering munitions, or kamikaze drones, as part of a broader shift toward self‑reliance in precision‑strike capabilities. Projects such as the Tata‑developed ALS‑50 vertical‑take‑off system and the SMPP‑built Agniveg turbojet drone illustrate the focus on domestic design, AI integration, swarm tactics and GPS‑denied operation. These platforms are intended to meet the strategic demands of high‑altitude borders and the Line of Actual Control while reducing dependence on foreign equipment.

The push extends across the military aviation sector, driven by Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat and new Defence Industrial Corridors. India aims to grow its defence economy to ₹8.8 trillion by 2047, expanding local manufacturing, AI‑driven design, additive‑manufacturing, and domestic MRO capabilities that were previously outsourced. The overall strategy seeks to transform the country into a global defence exporter and lessen reliance on imported technology.