The Centre is planning the design and development of an unmanned combat search and rescue aircraft for the Indian Air Force, aimed at rescuing aircrew in hostile environments without putting manned aircraft at risk.According to officials, the project has been approved in principle and is expected to strengthen both combat readiness and India’s defence self-reliance.The indigenous autonomous system, as planned, should also be a platform that can be deployed to ferry logistic material and other supplies in forward areas and inhospitable terrains, including snow-bound heights, where conventional helicopters struggle, officials said.The runway-independent UAV should have the ability to auto-takeoff, navigate, and land, with the capability to search, locate, and land using an integrated Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), they added.The UAV will be an autonomous, runway-independent platform, capable of operating from sea level to 16,000 ft, with an optional ceiling of 20,000 ft. It will have a radius of action of at least 200 km and a loiter time of 45 minutes.
The system will be able to carry up to 400 kg, including stretchers and four personnel, and will integrate an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) to locate and rescue aircrew. The drone will also be capable of ferrying logistic material to forward and inhospitable areas, including snow-bound heights where helicopters face limitations.The UAV will auto-takeoff, navigate, and land, even from unprepared surfaces, and operate in GNSS-denied conditions.
Designed as one of India’s most advanced indigenous platforms, it combines AI-driven autonomy, all-weather resilience, and combat utility.Structured under the ‘Make-I’ category, the government will fund 70% of development costs, with Indian vendors covering the remaining 30%. After successful development, procurement will follow the ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ route, ensuring at least 50% indigenous content in materials, components, and software.
IDDM stands for Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured.Indian companies with expertise in UAV manufacturing, aviation MRO, and defence quality assurance are expected to play a key role, benefiting from design, testing, and production opportunities. The CSAR drone will undergo rigorous military airworthiness validation before induction.Officials say the project will reduce foreign dependence, create high-tech jobs for startups and MSMEs, and add to India’s growing fleet of indigenous defence drones, enhancing operational readiness for the IAF in diverse terrains.
