Dynauton Systems Developing " KAATIL " a Jet-Powered Loitering Munition For Indian Forces

Dynauton Systems, a Bengaluru division of Dynamatic Technologies, has introduced KAATIL, a compact jet-powered loitering munition intended for fast, precision engagements in environments where navigation signals may be contested. Company materials and trade reporting describe KAATIL as a small, single-use unmanned aerial vehicle with a jet engine, GNSS-resilient guidance and a modular warhead.

Public figures place KAATIL’s maximum take-off weight (MTOW) at about 12 kilograms and its wingspan near 2 metres, with a removable payload of roughly 1 kilogram. The vehicle uses a small jet engine and is reported to reach speeds up to about 600 km/h. These characteristics indicate the system is designed for relatively short-duration, high-speed transit rather than long-endurance surveillance.

The system’s guidance suite is described as combining GNSS navigation with optical guidance and onboard processing, intended to allow mission completion when GNSS is jammed or unavailable. The manufacturer indicates the vehicle can follow low-altitude, terrain-matching flight paths and execute different attack profiles—such as steep dives or top-attack angles—appropriate for engaging exposed components or lightly armoured targets.

Tactically, KAATIL is likely to be used against radars, command nodes, logistics vehicles, exposed personnel and sensor suites—targets where a small warhead can be effective. Its speed and short response time make it suitable for attacking time-sensitive targets or for use in coordinated groups intended to engage local point-defence systems. The system is described as launchable by catapult or from a short runway, which supports forward deployment with limited logistics.

Dynauton first publicised KAATIL in early 2025, ahead of industry events such as Aero India 2025, where the concept and prototype were shown to trade media. Since that initial appearance, trade outlets and the company’s public materials have been the main sources of technical detail. There are no widely available independent test reports or confirmed procurement contracts in the public domain; most technical information currently comes from the manufacturer and trade coverage.

The system has limitations that follow from its size and payload. A roughly 1-kilogram warhead is not intended to defeat heavily armoured main battle tanks, though certain attack profiles can affect lighter armoured vehicles or exposed systems. Reported speed and low-altitude flight reduce the time available for interception but do not by themselves ensure penetration of modern, integrated air-defence layers. Endurance and range are not fully specified in public materials, so operational planners must infer mission parameters from disclosed weight, propulsion type and expected fuel capacity.

In doctrinal terms, KAATIL fits into a graduated set of strike options where operators have a range of effects available: small, low-cost loiterers for local suppression, mid-tier precision loiterers for sensor and node denial, and larger missiles for hardened or deep targets. For the domestic defence sector, KAATIL also reflects private-sector involvement in complete system development rather than only subcontracting roles—which may affect future procurement and export discussions subject to government policy.

Overall, KAATIL is a compact, jet-powered loitering munition with GNSS-resilient guidance and a modular warhead. Public information highlights its speed, modularity and design for contested navigation environments, while independent performance data and confirmed service adoptions are not yet available in the public record.