Indian Navy’s Indigenous UAV Under Pirate Attack During Yemen Mission

Image credit: Sputnik India

In a tense 40-hour standoff near Yemen, the Indian destroyer INS Kolkata intercepted a hijacked merchant vessel, closely monitored by an indigenous Spotter drone, marking a significant development in India’s maritime defense capabilities.

“We welcome the pirates’ attempt to shoot down the drone, as it validates the effectiveness of our technology and ultimately saves lives,” remarked Captain Nikunj Parashar, Co-founder and Managing Director of Sagar Defense Engineering, the firm behind India’s first indigenous maritime Spotter Drone.

Deployed by INS Kolkata upon spotting the hijacked vessel carrying 35 pirates and 17 crew members, the Spotter drone played a pivotal role in gathering real-time intelligence amid hostile conditions.

With sixty such drones now integrated into Indian warships, they boast unique capabilities, including the ability to take off and land during high-speed naval maneuvers, a feat achieved by only a few global companies.

Parashar highlighted the drones’ versatility, emphasizing their capacity to conduct long-range missions of up to 20 km and facilitate seamless control transfer between ships or Marine Commandos.

The Indian Navy’s investment in indigenous UAV technology reflects its commitment to bolstering maritime security. In 2021, a deal with Sagar Defence Engineering for 30 units of the Spotter drone was inked, followed by an additional order of 60 units in 2023.

Designed exclusively for naval operations, these drones enable scheduled inspections and real-time threat detection, potentially saving lives during critical missions. Moreover, smaller UAVs launched from carriers and warships enhance surveillance capabilities and facilitate communication with friendly vessels.

India’s naval prowess has seen significant advancements in recent years, with the induction of UAVs for sea operations in the 2000s. Israeli-made fixed-wing UAVs, such as Searcher and Heron, were initially employed by shore-based Naval Squadrons for reconnaissance missions.

Innovations allowing mid-sea command transfer have further enhanced the Navy’s operational flexibility, enabling warships to exploit UAVs for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

The Indian Navy’s decision to induct the country’s first passenger-carrying drone, ‘Varuna,’ signifies a leap in technological innovation. Manufactured by Sagar Defence Engineering, Varuna can land and take off from moving warships, offering enhanced payload capacity and operational range.

Looking ahead, collaborations with industry giants like Larsen and Toubro aim to develop submarine-launched UAVs for Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-mine operations.

Despite past challenges and failed ventures, India remains steadfast in its pursuit of cutting-edge UAV technologies for maritime defense. Foreign collaborations and indigenous innovations continue to drive India’s quest for maritime dominance in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.

As reported by eurasiantimes in their recent article