The Indian Army is moving to expand the use of first-person-view (FPV) drones for anti-armour missions, with its Northern Command seeking 2,405 drone-compatible anti-armour payloads. The requirement reflects the increasing importance of unmanned systems in modern combat and the Army’s effort to strengthen precision-strike capabilities in challenging operational areas.
The proposed payloads are intended to be carried by FPV drones and other multi-rotor platforms, giving frontline units a compact weapon system that can be deployed against armoured targets and fortified positions. The requirement is particularly significant for the Northern Command, which operates in demanding mountainous environments where conventional systems can face mobility and accessibility constraints.
According to the reported specifications, each payload is expected to weigh approximately 400 grams, with a diameter of around 54 mm and a length of nearly 220 mm. The payload is also required to have a net explosive quantity of approximately 189 grams.
A key performance requirement is a minimum penetration capability of 100 mm of Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA). This is intended to provide the system with sufficient anti-armour effectiveness against selected battlefield targets while keeping the overall payload compact enough for integration with small unmanned platforms.
The Army has also specified an operational requirement of functioning at altitudes of up to 4,500 metres above mean sea level. The high-altitude requirement is particularly relevant to the Northern Command’s operational environment, including areas along the Himalayan frontier where terrain, altitude and weather can complicate conventional military operations.
The planned procurement comes as FPV drones are increasingly being incorporated into battlefield operations worldwide. Their relatively small size, manoeuvrability and ability to deliver precision effects have made them an important component of modern tactical warfare.
For the Indian Army, integrating anti-armour payloads with FPV platforms could provide commanders with an additional option for engaging targets from standoff positions while reducing the exposure of personnel. The requirement also indicates a move towards deploying unmanned strike systems in larger numbers rather than treating them solely as experimental or specialised capabilities.
The initiative is also consistent with India’s broader push for greater domestic defence production and the development of indigenous unmanned and precision-strike technologies. Greater participation by Indian defence manufacturers could support the creation of a domestic supply chain for drone-based weapons and related technologies.
With 2,405 payloads being sought, the Northern Command’s requirement represents a substantial move towards scaling up drone-enabled anti-armour capability. It underlines the Indian Army’s continuing adaptation to the changing character of warfare, where drones, precision weapons and networked systems are becoming increasingly important on the battlefield.