In a significant move to bolster unmanned surveillance capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has proposed to the central government the purchase of 10 indigenous TAPAS drones. Defence officials announced on Sunday that six of these Made in India drones will be allocated to the IAF, while the remaining four will be assigned to the Indian Navy.

The IAF will lead the induction and acquisition process for the TAPAS drones. This proposal is expected to be reviewed soon by the Defence Ministry. Currently, the IAF and the Indian Navy are the only branches involved in the procurement of these drones.

TAPAS drones, classified as medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones, have been developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The manufacturing will be carried out by a consortium comprising Bharat Electronics Limited and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

The Tactical Airborne Platform for Aerial Surveillance Beyond Horizon-201 (TAPAS BH-201), formerly known as Rustom-II, is being developed to meet surveillance needs similar to those of the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator.

Although TAPAS drones do not yet fully meet the current requirements of the defence forces, their limited induction is aimed at facilitating upgrades and refinements to meet broader operational needs in the future. The IAF currently operates a fleet of Israeli-origin Searcher, Heron Mark-1, and Mark-2 drones and plans to induct American Predator MQ-9B drones as part of a tri-services acquisition.

The inclusion of six indigenous TAPAS drones will enhance unmanned surveillance capabilities on both the northern and western fronts. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has strongly supported the Make in India initiative in defence, with orders already placed or planned for 180 LCA Mark 1A and 156 LCH attack helicopters, amounting to approximately Rs 1.6 lakh crore.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy plans to deploy the TAPAS drones for maritime surveillance. Delivery of these drones is expected to be expedited, with the first unit ready for deployment within 24 months of contract signing. DRDO continues its efforts on the TAPAS project to further improve its performance.

The TAPAS drones have encountered challenges in meeting Joint Services Qualitative Requirements, including sustained flight at 30,000 feet for over 24 hours, leading to their exclusion from mission-critical projects. Despite this, during trials, the TAPAS drones achieved an altitude of 28,000 feet and an endurance exceeding 18 hours.

The Indian Air Force's proposal underscores its commitment to indigenous development and support for domestic defence capabilities. The acquisition of TAPAS drones represents a significant stride towards achieving self-reliance in defence technology and bolstering India's armed forces' surveillance capabilities.

The induction of TAPAS drones signifies a noteworthy achievement in India's defence technology landscape. Ongoing efforts to develop and refine these drones aim to address current performance gaps and fulfil the rigorous demands of modern warfare. Collaboration between DRDO, Bharat Electronics Limited, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited plays a crucial role in achieving these objectives.

Image source: ANI