Indian Navy to Get Four New Tapas Drones for Maritime Surveillance

The Indian Navy is set to place an order for four Tapas drones built in India by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). These drones will be used for surveillance over the maritime zone.

Manufacturing and Delivery

The drones will be manufactured by a consortium of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The first drone is expected to be ready for delivery within 24 months of signing the contract. Existing drones will be used for trials and capability improvements.

Performance and Trials

Although the Tapas drones have not fully met the Joint Services Qualitative Requirements, they have shown promising results. During trials, they reached an altitude of 28,000 feet and could fly for over 18 hours. In one trial, the drone was operated by Indian Navy officials over the Arabian Sea after taking off from an airfield in Chitradurga, Karnataka.

Operational Flexibility

The Tapas drones require a relatively short runway for takeoff, making them suitable for use from small airfields in island territories and the mainland.