India clears indigenous high-altitude rescue UAV for Air Force
India has approved development of an indigenous combat search-and-rescue UAV for the Indian Air Force. The runway-independent system is designed to recover pilots and crew and move supplies in harsh terrain without exposing manned aircraft to the same risk.
The approval targets missions in extreme conditions where conventional aviation assets face severe limits. Snowbound high-altitude areas are especially difficult for helicopters, making rescue and resupply operations slower, riskier and more weather dependent.
The UAV will be developed under India’s Make-I procurement category, with the government funding 70% of the program. The platform is intended to operate at altitudes of up to 16,000 feet, carry payloads of as much as 400 kg, fly autonomous missions out to 200 km and remain on station for 45 minutes.
The decision strengthens India’s push to build specialized unmanned systems at home for operational gaps in difficult environments. For the Air Force, the project could add a safer option for high-altitude rescue and emergency logistics, while reducing reliance on manned aircraft in some of its most demanding missions.