Indian Air Force to Equip Garud Commandos with Indigenous Man‑Portable Loitering Munitions

The Indian Air Force has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking indigenous, man‑portable loitering munitions to arm its elite Garud Commando Force. The proposed system is to be lightweight, allowing small special‑operations teams to carry and launch it without heavy equipment. Required specifications include a minimum range of 40 km, endurance of more than two hours, and the ability to carry both high‑explosive (HE) and high‑explosive anti‑tank (HEAT) warheads for engaging personnel, fortified positions, and armored vehicles.

The procurement aligns with the government’s “Make in India” initiative, aiming to boost domestic defence technology and give the Garud commandos an organic precision‑strike capability that combines real‑time surveillance, target acquisition and lethal engagement. By extending strike ranges far beyond conventional infantry weapons, the loitering munitions would enhance the commandos’ operational flexibility in contested environments.