India releases RFI for possible procurement of Loitering Munition System

The UVision Hero family of loitering munition was among those the Indian Army showed interest in. Photo c/o Army Technology.

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MOD) has released a Request for Information (RFI) on a possible procurement of up to 100 loitering munition systems for the Indian Army.

The RFI mentioned that the loitering munition system would weigh less than 20 kilograms, is man-portable, a range of 15 kilometers, and an endurance of at least 30 minutes, can fly to an altitude of at least 4,500 meters above sea level, has anti-jamming countermeasures, and can be used against soft skinned targets and infantry.

The ground control station should be compact enough to be man portable to be carried by troops deployed to area of operations by helicopters.

The RFI also requires the delivery of the entire order within 18 months from contract signing.

A loitering munition system are similar to small unmanned aerial vehicles, but are armed with a warhead and act as a flying munition. It can be flown for surveillance before plunging to a target in a suicide manner as designated by the ground controller. This is a cheaper alternative to missiles, although the destructive power could be less and is best used against smaller, less armored targets.

India has been interested in loitering munition systems, and has seen Israeli companies like UVision offering their products and even partnering with local companies for potential supply to the Indian armed forces.


[1] Defense World
[2] Indian Defence Research Wing
[3] The Defenstar