India’s Defence Ministry RFI for Next-Gen Target Drones Signals Major Boom in Drone Industry
The Indian Ministry of Defence has released a request for information (RFI) regarding the procurement of next-generation expendable aerial target drones, aimed at bolstering the Indian Navy’s training capabilities. This initiative comes as the Navy focuses on improving its preparedness against modern threats, including fast-moving, low-altitude anti-ship missiles and hostile drones, which pose significant challenges to naval defence.
The new system, officially named Expendable Aerial Target (Next Generation) or EAT (NG), will be utilized in live-fire exercises to replicate the speed, flight patterns, and evasive manoeuvres of sea-skimming missiles. Unlike reusable drones, these expendable targets are designed to be destroyed during training, offering naval crews a more realistic combat environment to test missile and gun systems in high-pressure scenarios.
The RFI highlights India’s advancing domestic capabilities, including the successful development and mass production of the indigenous Abhyas target drone by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). With Abhyas having completed its trials, India is progressing toward a self-reliant defence industry.
Detailed Performance Requirements
The Indian Navy’s RFI outlines specific performance standards for the EAT (NG). The target drone must be capable of flying at speeds of at least 300 meters per second (roughly Mach 0.87) at low altitudes, with an operational duration of up to 60 minutes. Additionally, the drone should be able to fly as low as five meters above the sea surface and climb at rates of 20 meters per second.
To accurately simulate the behaviour of modern anti-ship threats, the target must be able to sustain turns with up to 2G of force. Remote control of the drone should extend to a distance of 100 kilometers, with the system also supporting autonomous flight along pre-programmed routes, including mid-course adjustments in speed and altitude. The ground control station should have the capacity to manage at least six targets simultaneously.
In case of a data-link failure, the drone must be recoverable according to the user’s operational requirements. The system should have a low radar cross-section for stealth, with the option to increase its radar signature during specific training exercises. To aid post-engagement analysis, the drone will carry an acoustic miss-distance indicator that can detect incoming fire from naval guns or surface-to-air missiles within a 10-meter radius.
Enhanced Operational Flexibility
A crucial feature of the EAT (NG) is its operational flexibility. The target drone should be capable of launching from both ships and shore-based facilities via rocket-assisted take-off. It must be designed to function in sea conditions up to sea state 3 and withstand winds of up to 30 knots. Furthermore, the drone should remain afloat after ditching at sea for sufficient time to allow for recovery via boat or helicopter. The system is expected to have a service life of around 15 years.
The RFI also places significant emphasis on indigenisation, with the Ministry of Defence seeking vendors capable of delivering the system under the “Buy Indian–IDDM” category, which requires over 50% domestic content, or the “Buy Indian” category, which mandates more than 60% local content, in line with the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020.
Strengthening India’s Naval Defence Capabilities
This RFI is part of India’s broader efforts to strengthen its naval fleet and enhance operational readiness. The Indian Navy currently deploys multiple surface-to-air missile systems, including the Barak-8, which require regular live-fire validation against realistic aerial targets. With both of India’s aircraft carriers, the INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, actively deployed and naval operations intensifying across the Indian Ocean region, ensuring the proficiency of naval crews in countering fast, low-altitude threats is now a top priority.
The introduction of next-generation expendable aerial targets is expected to significantly improve the realism and frequency of such training, allowing the Indian Navy to maintain a high level of readiness in the face of evolving maritime threats.
