DRDO’s Ghatak UCAV Advances with 3.7-Ton Fuel Load, L&T as Key Industry Partner
India’s long-anticipated Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft (RPSA), known by its popular name Ghatak UCAV, has officially entered the production phase, marking a decisive step toward bolstering the country’s future combat airpower. Developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) under DRDO, this stealthy flying-wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle is poised to become one of India’s most significant indigenous defence assets.
A major highlight of this program is the confirmation that Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been selected as the Design and Core Production Partner (DcPP), a critical role that places the private sector at the heart of advanced defence aerospace manufacturing in India.
What sets Ghatak apart from other drone systems is its impressive internal fuel capacity of 3.7 tons, which is 1.2 tons more than the indigenous Tejas fighter jet. This massive fuel load gives Ghatak a substantially larger combat radius, enabling it to conduct deep-strike missions, loitering surveillance, and precision targeting well beyond frontline areas. The drone’s design is tailored for long-range autonomous missions without refueling or pilot risk, making it a potent strategic platform for the Indian Armed Forces.
As of mid-2025, the detailed design review has been successfully completed, and the manufacturing of the first prototype airframe has officially begun. The design is based on a modular approach, as shown in recent official visuals from DRDO and ADE. The airframe components include a center wing, outer wing sections, nose cone, and tail cone, all of which are being produced with stealth shaping and radar-absorbing features. This modularity not only aids in rapid assembly but also simplifies testing, maintenance, and future upgrades.
Powering this advanced UCAV will be the Kaveri Dry Engine (KDE), a modified version of DRDO’s indigenous Kaveri turbofan, optimized for unmanned applications. The KDE has already completed major altitude and performance tests in Russia aboard an IL-76 testbed aircraft, and is now nearing final certification. Producing approximately 52 kN of thrust, the Kaveri Dry engine is expected to give Ghatak a powerful yet efficient propulsion system while drastically reducing dependence on imported engines.
At a recent workshop held at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi, DRDO presented detailed updates on Ghatak’s progress. The presentation highlighted that the project has completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and 16 subsystems PDRs, while the Critical Design Review (CDR) has cleared wind tunnel testing, computational fluid dynamics simulations, and structural layout assessments. In addition, integrated flight control computers, quad-channel software systems, landing gear, and structural test rigs are now in advanced stages of development.
Also highlighted were the extensive mission studies conducted using the CLAW simulation environment, validation of radar cross-section data, and early payload integration concepts. The project has completed feasibility analysis, cost and time estimation, and has received AON (Acceptance of Necessity) from the Indian Air Force (IAF), with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) proposal currently under review.
The Ghatak UCAV is designed to be a stealthy, weaponized, and fully autonomous combat drone, capable of carrying precision-guided munitions and penetrating heavily defended enemy airspace. Once operational, it will be India’s answer to cutting-edge UCAVs like the U.S. X-47B or Russia’s S-70 Okhotnik, offering a mix of intelligence, surveillance, and lethal capability in a single platform.
The decision to bring in L&T as the core production partner demonstrates a mature shift in India’s defence production strategy, ensuring that world-class manufacturing standards and rapid scalability can be achieved. L&T's involvement also reinforces the government's ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ push, aimed at achieving full self-reliance in critical military technologies.
With airframe production now underway and the engine entering final certification, India’s Ghatak UCAV is well on track to achieve its first flight in the next 18 to 24 months. Once airborne, it will mark the beginning of a new era in Indian aerospace—one defined by stealth, autonomy, and home-grown innovation.
