India’s defence export ambitions could soon get another boost with the emergence of the Kal drone, an indigenous long-range loitering munition developed by Odisha-based defence startup IG Defence.

The Shahed-class one-way attack drone is reportedly attracting interest from several Gulf countries, potentially opening a new market for Indian-made autonomous strike systems.

The development comes as India continues to expand its defence manufacturing and export footprint. According to the Defence Ministry, India's defence exports reached a record ₹38,424 crore in 2025-26, marking a 62.66 per cent increase over the previous financial year.

The Kal could become another prominent export product alongside systems such as the BrahMos missile, which has emerged as one of India's best-known defence exports.

What Is the Kal Drone?

Developed by IG Defence, the Kal is a long-range, one-way attack drone designed for deep-strike missions.

Its operational concept is broadly similar to other loitering munitions, including Iran's Shahed family of drones. The system can reportedly remain airborne over a designated area before identifying or engaging a target.

According to specifications provided by IG Defence, the Kal has an operational range of up to 1,000 kilometres and an endurance of approximately seven to eight hours.

The company says the drone can carry a 50-kg payload and cruise at around 160 kmph, with a maximum speed of approximately 200 kmph.

It is designed to operate at altitudes of up to 5,000 metres above mean sea level.

Designed for Deep-Strike Missions

The Kal is intended to target high-value assets at operational depth.

According to IG Defence, its potential targets include infrastructure, radar installations, air-defence systems and soft or semi-hardened military targets.

The drone features an advanced guidance and navigation system intended to support autonomous flight during missions.

As a loitering munition, the system can remain in an area before conducting a strike, potentially allowing operators greater flexibility compared with conventional fixed-flight-path weapons.

The company also says the Kal can be launched using rocket-assisted take-off systems or vehicles, giving operators different deployment options.

Gulf Nations Show Interest

Interest in the Kal is reportedly growing outside India, particularly among countries in the Gulf and other strategically important regions.

IG Defence said on August 5 that it was in advanced discussions with multiple Gulf countries regarding possible procurement.

People associated with the company said talks were at an advanced stage and that some agreements could potentially be concluded during the current financial year.

If successful, the deals could result in the first overseas consignments of the Kal being exported from India.

However, any such export would remain subject to Government of India approvals and applicable defence export regulations.

Why the Gulf Market Matters

The reported interest comes at a time when military planners worldwide are paying greater attention to relatively affordable long-range unmanned systems.

Recent conflicts have demonstrated how drones can be used for surveillance, precision strikes and attacks against military infrastructure without exposing pilots to direct combat risks.

The wider conflict environment in West Asia has also highlighted the demand for autonomous systems capable of operating over long distances.

For India, securing export orders for the Kal could strengthen the country's position in the international unmanned systems market.

Following the BrahMos Model

The Kal is being discussed as a potential future defence export success story similar to BrahMos.

Jointly developed by India's DRDO and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia, BrahMos has become one of India's most prominent defence exports.

The missile's combination of speed, precision and multi-platform launch capability has contributed to its international appeal.

India's growing defence export portfolio now includes missiles, artillery systems, radars, electronic systems, protective equipment and unmanned platforms.

The government's push to increase domestic defence manufacturing has also encouraged private companies and startups to develop products for both Indian and international markets.

Export Potential and Challenges

Despite the reported foreign interest, the Kal's emergence as a major export product will depend on several factors.

Potential customers would need to assess its performance, reliability, navigation capabilities and operational effectiveness through testing and evaluation.

The company will also have to secure the necessary regulatory clearances before exporting the system.

IG Defence has said that, subject to government approvals, the Kal could contribute to India's objective of becoming a trusted supplier of indigenous defence technology to friendly foreign countries.

India’s Defence Export Push

India's record defence exports indicate a broader shift from its traditional position as a major defence importer towards becoming a supplier of military equipment.

The government has set ambitious targets for domestic defence production and exports, while private-sector participation has expanded significantly.

If IG Defence succeeds in securing international orders for the Kal, the drone could become an important example of how India's private defence industry is moving into advanced unmanned and autonomous weapons technology.

For now, the Kal remains an emerging system with export discussions underway. But if the reported Gulf interest translates into contracts, the drone could become one of the more significant additions to India's growing defence export portfolio.

The Indian Army has taken a significant leap in its unmanned strike capabilities after indigenous defence manufacturer SMPP delivered 106 turbojet-powered loitering munitions — branded as Agniveg (Peacekeeper) — to the force. The handover marks one of the more consequential developments in India's push toward self-reliant defence manufacturing in recent months.

Of the total consignment, 100 are fully operational units while the remaining six are designated for training purposes, the company confirmed.

Faster Than a Peregrine Falcon

The Agniveg is no ordinary drone. Capable of reaching speeds up to 450 kmph, it outpaces the Peregrine Falcon — widely recognised as the world's fastest bird at around 320 kmph during a dive. Its operational range extends to 180 km, giving commanders the ability to strike deep into enemy territory without putting personnel at risk.

SMPP developed the system with technical collaboration from Belarusian firm KB Indela. While the international partnership may draw some scrutiny given India's current geopolitical sensitivities, the company maintains that the core manufacturing and integration happened domestically.

Built to Beat Jamming

A key selling point for the Agniveg is its claimed resistance to both jamming and spoofing — two of the most commonly deployed countermeasures against drone systems in modern conflict zones. Adversaries attempting to disrupt GPS signals or feed false navigation data to the drone are reportedly unable to throw it off course.

During trials, the system reportedly achieved a Circular Error Probable of under five metres even in electronically contested environments. In practical terms, this means the drone can reliably land within a five-metre radius of its intended target — even when an adversary is actively trying to mislead it.

Strike First, No Human Required

Once a target is locked in, Agniveg can complete its entire mission autonomously — no human intervention needed after launch. This fully autonomous precision-strike capability is particularly significant for operations against time-sensitive or high-value targets such as radar installations, command centres, logistics hubs, and armoured vehicles.

Its blast radius is deliberately contained to approximately five metres. That may sound like a limitation, but it is by design. The tight kill zone allows operators to neutralise a specific asset — say, a radar dish inside a contested military compound — without levelling everything around it. In densely populated conflict zones or areas near civilian infrastructure, that distinction matters enormously.

What Are Kamikaze Drones?

Loitering munitions, colloquially called kamikaze drones, are single-use weapons that combine the endurance of a reconnaissance drone with the terminal effect of a guided missile. The name draws from the Japanese suicide pilots of World War II who crashed their aircraft into Allied warships.

Unlike conventional missiles fired in a straight trajectory, loitering munitions can circle a target area for an extended period — sometimes hours — waiting for the right moment to strike. Onboard cameras and sensors allow operators to confirm target identity before the drone commits to its terminal dive.

Their appeal lies in cost-effectiveness, precision, and operational flexibility. They have been used to devastating effect in conflicts in Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabakh, and the Middle East, where they have neutralised armoured columns, air defence systems, and supply depots.

A Boost for Atmanirbhar Bharat

The delivery is being viewed as a tangible output of India's Atmanirbhar Bharat push in defence. While India has significantly increased domestic defence production in recent years, fielding a turbojet-powered loitering munition with this performance envelope is a notable milestone.

The timing is also noteworthy. With India having recently demonstrated its willingness to use precision strike capabilities in Operation Sindoor, the induction of 106 Agniveg drones signals that the Army is actively building out a layered unmanned strike architecture — one that can operate across ranges and threat environments.

Further deliveries and potential orders from other services have not been officially confirmed, but the successful induction is expected to generate considerable interest within the armed forces.