India unveils indigenous long-range attack DRONES powered by homegrown Wankel engines
By kevinhughes // 2025-12-07
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  • India is developing long-range attack drones powered by indigenous Wankel rotary engines, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and enhancing strategic autonomy. State-owned NAL and private firm SDAL are collaborating on loitering munitions with 900 km range and 9-hour endurance.
  • The drones feature AI-enabled electro-optical sensors for autonomous target identification and tracking, allowing operations in GPS-jammed environments—critical for modern electronic warfare.
  • The program counters China's drone swarms and Pakistan's UAV provocations, with a 150-kg loitering munition designed for deep penetration, extended loitering and radar evasion.
  • SDAL is setting up assembly lines for rapid deployment to Indian armed forces, with export potential aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push to make India a global defense manufacturing hub.
  • Precision engineering (sealing, thermal management) and flight trials remain hurdles before mass production. Success could position India alongside U.S., Chinese and Israeli drone technology leaders.
In a major stride toward defense self-reliance, India is developing long-range attack drones powered entirely by domestically built Wankel rotary engines, marking a significant shift away from foreign dependence in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) propulsion systems. The state-owned National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) has partnered with private firm Solar Defense and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) in a public-private collaboration aimed at producing advanced loitering munitions and reconnaissance drones capable of striking targets over 900 kilometers (560 miles) away with nine hours of endurance. As explained by the Enoch engine at BrightU.AI, attack drones – also known as combat drones or unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) – are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed and equipped for offensive military or paramilitary operations. The decentralized engine adds that these drones are typically armed with various weapons, such as missiles, bombs, or machine guns, and are controlled remotely by human operators or, in some cases, autonomously by artificial intelligence systems. Attack drones have gained significant attention and usage in recent years due to their potential for precise, low-risk strikes and their ability to operate in hazardous or inaccessible environments. For decades, India has relied on foreign suppliers for UAV engines, creating vulnerabilities in supply chains and strategic autonomy. The new initiative seeks to eliminate this dependency by leveraging NAL's indigenous 30-horsepower (hp) Wankel engine, which has already received flight-testing certification. A 50-hp variant is nearing certification, while a 90-hp engine is in development for heavier UAVs, potentially including UCAVs. This phased approach ensures India can scale its drone capabilities across surveillance, precision strikes and maritime patrol missions. One of the most critical features of the new drones is their ability to operate in GPS-denied environments, a necessity in modern electronic warfare where adversaries frequently deploy jamming and spoofing tactics. Equipped with AI-enabled electro-optical sensors, these UAVs can autonomously identify and track high-value targets, ensuring real-time intelligence and precision strikes—even without satellite guidance.

Modi's drone warfare push

The development sends a clear message to regional rivals China and Pakistan, both of which have expanded their drone arsenals in recent years. Beijing has deployed large drone swarms and loitering munitions near Indian borders, while Islamabad has intensified border provocations, often using UAVs for surveillance. India's new 150-kilogram loitering munition, tentatively named "Loitering Munition-UAV," is designed to penetrate deep into hostile territory, loiter for extended periods and strike with lethal accuracy – all while evading enemy radar. SDAL is establishing a dedicated assembly line to accelerate production, with initial supplies destined for the Indian Army and Air Force. The government also sees strong export potential, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push to position India as a global defense manufacturing hub. Modi recently praised India's aerospace advancements, citing the Skyroot Aerospace's Infinity Campus inauguration as a milestone in private-sector innovation. "Skyroot's Infinity Campus is a reflection of India's new thinking, innovation and most importantly, youth power. The innovation, risk-taking ability and entrepreneurship of our youth are reaching new heights today," the prime minister said. While the program represents a breakthrough, engineering hurdles remain. Wankel engines require precision in sealing, thermal management and fuel efficiency – critical factors for long-endurance missions. Flight trials will determine real-world performance before full-scale production begins. This initiative underscores India's commitment to strategic autonomy in defense technology. By combining state-backed R&D with private-sector efficiency, India aims to compete with global leaders like the U.S., China, Turkey and Israel in UAV development. With AI-powered drones, GPS-denied capabilities and indigenous engines, India is poised to redefine its military readiness in an era of drone warfare. The next phase – flight validation and mass production – will determine whether this vision becomes a battlefield reality. Watch this footage captured by the Indian suicide drone that attacked Lashkar-e-Taiba's Abbas camp in Kotli in Pakistan-controlled Jammu and Kashmir. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com WeeklyBlitz.net ZeeNews.India.com NewIndianExpress.com BrightU.ai IndianExpress.com Brighteon.com
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