India Focuses on Long-Range Drone Development Amid Iran-US War

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, global warfare has witnessed a dramatic shift with the widespread use of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UAVs). 

These fighter drones, controlled remotely, have become indispensable for reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strikes, eliminating the need for pilots while offering agility and cost-effectiveness. 

Their growing prominence marks a new era in military



strategy.

India’s awareness of this transformation sharpened during Operation Sindoor, when Pakistan deployed swarms of low-cost drones to target civilian infrastructure and weaken Indian air defenses. 

Most of these were neutralized by Israeli-made Heron Mk drones, but the incident revealed the disruptive potential of UAVs. It also underscored the urgency for India to develop indigenous long-range combat drones.