Cargo drones to play vital role in Air Force’s expansion plans in Lakshadweep, says Vice Chief of the Air Staff

Long-range cargo drones capable of carrying heavy payloads are set to play a vital role in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) expansion plans in the Lakshadweep Islands.

The fourth edition of the Mehar Baba Competition (MBC), designed to accelerate industry innovations in cargo drone applications for the IAF, is currently under way, Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, said here on Friday.

The aim is to develop, test and operationalise unmanned aerial systems capable of transporting payloads across long distances – tech solutions suited for the Lakshadweep islands where the IAF is expanding its facility at Agatti and building a new air base on Minicoy.

“When all this happens, you will find inter-island connectivity is also important,” Air Marshal Tiwari, who had paid a visit to the Lakshadweep Islands on Thursday, said.

Drone mobility

Big ports or airfields on every island are difficult propositions given their small size. Drone mobility solutions provide a good “via media and balance” which will help develop the IAF capabilities there, he told reporters after inaugurating an industry outreach programme and exhibition on ‘over the sea’ cargo drone applications for island territories organised by the IAF’s Southern Air Command (SAC) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Industry (FICCI).

Giving the broad parameters of what the IAF is looking for in cargo drones, Air Marshal Tiwari said the force was eyeing a payload capacity of 300 kg, endurance of five hours and a 300 km to 500 km range. Drones, he said, would have multiple and flexible applications covering military and civilian requirements in the islands.

“We are focussing on indigenous technologies because we should have the research and development capacity in the country. That is very important,” he said.

Describing the Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands as “our frontier posts,” Air Marshal Tiwari said the continued development of these islands assume importance in the current geopolitical climate. “Both Lakshadweep, as well as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on the other side, will be our frontier posts in the future. Unless we protect them, we will be found wanting. Therefore there is a lot of interest from the government’s side for enhancing the infrastructure in these locations,” he said.

The Thiruvananthapuram-headquartered SAC, whose mandate includes maritime security over the Indian Ocean Region, will drive the innovative drone programme, Air Marshal Tiwari said.

Agatti and Minicoy

In Agatti, the IAF is working on expanding the existing air field to accommodate bigger aircraft, the Vice Chief of the Air Staff said. “We also have to increase  surveillance capability so we are already deploying certain radars in those areas,” he said. On Minicoy, the IAF is developing a new air base.

On the types of aircraft that will be stationed in these facilities once they are commissioned, Air Marshal Tiwari said the IAF will take a call on it “at that point of time.” “Right now we are looking at providing mobility solutions when the infrastructure is enhanced in these locations,” he said.

Air Marshal Manish Khanna, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, SAC, said the Lakshadweep and the Anadaman and Nicobar Islands can become “very good stepping stones” for different types of operations be it military operations or surveillance.  

Through the MBC initiative, IAF is seeking inputs from industry to realise the potential of long-range heavy payload cargo drones to ensure mobility and logistics among island territories, a defence spokesperson said.