Mini Drone Technology and India's Fast-Track Tactical Loitering Munition Acquisition
India's defence modernization strategy has increasingly leaned toward speed, indigenous capability, and technological adaptability. Nowhere is this more evident than in the country's fast-track acquisition efforts for tactical drones and loitering munitions, a segment of defence procurement designed to move quickly from concept to operational deployment. While these acquisition programmes are primarily discussed in terms of strategic capability and national security, the underlying technological journey often begins with something far smaller and more accessible, the humble mini drone . A Shift Toward Speed and Self-Reliance Traditional defence procurement processes in India have historically been lengthy, often taking years to move from initial requirement identification to final deployment. Recognizing that modern security challenges demand faster responses, defence planners have introduced fast-track acquisition mechanisms specifically designed to compress these timelines ...