The Indian Army has unveiled two cutting-edge drones that are set to revolutionize battlefield operations.
Indian Army’s Multi Weapon BAAZ and Kamikaze Kharga
The Indian Army has unveiled two cutting-edge drones that are set to revolutionize battlefield operations. Enter the BAAZ Attack Drone and the Kharga Kamikaze Drone—powerful, versatile, and entirely made-in-India solutions designed to tackle modern military challenges head-on. These drones aren’t just technological feats; they’re a testament to India’s growing expertise in advanced warfare technology. Built to handle everything from anti-tank missions to counter-terrorism operations, these aerial marvels are a game-changer for India’s armed forces.
‘Kharga’ can carry up to 700 grams of explosives and is equipped with GPS, a navigation system, and a high-definition camera. It also reportedly has countermeasures for enemy electromagnetic spectrum jamming. The drone has a range of about one and a half kilometres. Known as a kind of ‘suicide’ drone, it can easily destroy enemy targets. According to officials, ‘Kharga’ does not come under the radar range.
The drone has been built at a cost of ₹ 30,000.
In August, the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) launched potent ‘Swadeshi’ (indigenous) Kamikaze drones – do-and-die unmanned aerial vehicles with home-built engines that can power them to fly up to 1,000 kilometres. The aerial vehicles have been used extensively by the Ukrainians to target Russian infantry and armoured vehicles.
Meet BAAZ: The Attack Drone That Does It All
Designed by Colonel Vikas Chaturvedi, the BAAZ Attack Drone is a beast of innovation. This drone isn’t just about flying—it’s a multi-weapon platform that can fire rocket launchers, small arms, and grenade launchers. It can even drop mortar bombs or explosives right on target. With a 20-kilometer range and the ability to carry payloads exceeding 50 kilograms, this drone is all about delivering results where it matters most. Whether you need to take out enemy tanks, destroy bunkers, or even resupply troops in rugged terrains, BAAZ can do it all.
It operates in both autonomous and manual modes, offering unmatched flexibility for commanders on the ground
‘Dronaam’ neutralised 55% drones
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the BSF has been able to neutralise 55 percent of drones along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab using ‘Dronaam’, India’s indigenous counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS). Developed by Gurutvaa Systems, ‘Dronaam’ is a cutting-edge modular C-UAS designed to offer foolproof protection against illegal unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Innovation on Display at Inno- Yoddha 2024-25
Both the BAAZ and Kharga drones were showcased at the ‘Inno- Yoddha 2024-25’ seminar held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The development of these drones ties into India’s broader push for self-reliance in defence under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
