Beyond Stealth: Ghatak UCAV to Counter 5th-Gen Threats with Air-to-Air Missiles and AI Warfare”
India’s ambitious stealth drone program is about to take a major leap. The Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), originally designed as a deep-strike stealth bomber, is now set to evolve into a versatile multi-role combat drone. New details confirm that the Ghatak will not only strike enemy targets deep inside hostile territory but will also secure India’s skies by engaging enemy fighter jets.
From Stealth Bomber to Air Superiority Drone
Developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and its Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), the Ghatak is a stealthy, flying-wing aircraft weighing around 13 tonnes. Its shape and internal weapons bay are designed to avoid detection by enemy radars, allowing it to silently approach and destroy high-value targets.
Until now, its primary role was to carry 1.5 tonnes of precision-guided bombs and missiles for long-range strike missions. However, the latest plans have added an exciting new capability — an air superiority variant that can engage enemy aircraft. This means Ghatak will not just be a bomber but also an airborne hunter, able to patrol Indian airspace and intercept hostile jets and drones.
Air-to-Air Missiles for the Ghatak
The upgraded version will be armed with air-to-air missiles like the Astra missile series, India’s indigenous beyond-visual-range missile. With these, the Ghatak will be able to perform Combat Air Patrol (CAP) missions, guarding Indian skies and swiftly responding to airborne threats. This marks a significant shift as it transforms the drone from a single-role strike platform into a multi-role unmanned fighter.
Maintaining Balance with China and Pakistan
This new capability comes at a critical time. Both China and Pakistan are actively acquiring or developing fifth-generation stealth fighters, like China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon and Pakistan’s plans to import or collaborate on advanced combat aircraft. India’s own fifth-generation fighter program, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is still under development and expected to enter service only in the mid-2030s.
In the meantime, the Ghatak UCAV’s air superiority variant will help bridge this capability gap. Its ability to conduct air defence and combat patrols alongside manned fighters will strengthen India’s airpower edge and act as a counterbalance to any fifth-generation aircraft introduced by neighbouring countries before India’s AMCA is ready. This makes the Ghatak not just a technological asset but a strategically vital platform for maintaining regional air superiority in the years ahead.
Powered by the Indigenous Dry Kaveri Engine
At the heart of the Ghatak’s stealth and endurance is the Dry Kaveri engine, a non-afterburning jet engine developed by DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE). Optimized for fuel efficiency and a low heat signature, this engine is crucial for long-range, stealthy missions. It has successfully passed high-altitude tests, and Godrej Aerospace has been tasked with producing the first batch of these engines — a major step forward for India’s aero-engine self-reliance.
A Key Part of India’s Future Air Combat Network
The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to induct 8 to 9 squadrons of Ghatak UCAVs once they’re ready. These drones will be equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities. This means the Ghatak will work alongside manned fighter jets like the Su-30 MKI and the future AMCA, acting as a ‘loyal wingman’. In high-risk zones, the Ghatak can carry out missions that would otherwise put human pilots in danger.
The Foundation: SWiFT Demonstrator
Before the Ghatak, DRDO tested its technologies on a smaller demonstrator called SWiFT (Stealth Wing Flying Testbed) — a one-tonne drone that proved key systems like autonomous take-off, navigation, and landing. Its success paved the way for the full-scale Ghatak project.
When Will Ghatak Fly?
Although the program is awaiting final approval for about ₹5,000 crore to enter the flight testing phase, DRDO and ADE are already building an engineering model to test critical systems. If everything proceeds as planned, the first prototype should roll out by 2028, with the Indian Air Force expected to receive operational drones in the late 2030s.
India’s Ghatak UCAV represents the future of autonomous warfare — not just a stealth bomber but soon an air superiority drone capable of defending Indian skies from enemy jets. Its advanced AI systems, indigenous missiles, and stealth capabilities will help balance the region’s aerial power dynamics, especially if China and Pakistan field fifth-generation fighters before India’s AMCA arrives. In that scenario, the Ghatak could prove to be a vital force multiplier and guardian of Indian airspace.
