Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has called for speeding up India’s development of advanced UCAVs to support fighter jets, aiming for operational capability by 2030 in line with global “loyal wingman” programs like those in the US and Australia. He stressed that the DRDO’s Ghatak stealth UCAV project should be fast-tracked and envisioned future missions where Tejas fighters coordinate with multiple drones carrying roles like surveillance, electronic warfare, and precision strikes, controlled directly by pilots. Highlighting manned–unmanned teaming, he urged a joint effort between DRDO, HAL, and private industry to urgently build this capability. He also noted that unmanned warfare is the foundation of future robotic warfare. The Ghatak UCAV is designed for stealth deep-strike missions and could target high-value enemy assets while reducing risk to pilots. The programme has already received initial approval for procurement of 60 units.

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