Key facts
- The Indian Army has received 106 turbojet-powered kamikaze drones, named Peacekeeper (Agniveg).
- These drones are designed for precision strikes against high-value targets deep inside enemy territory.
- The Peacekeeper (Agniveg) has an operational range of 180 km and a speed of up to 450 kmph.
- The drones can operate effectively in contested electromagnetic environments, resisting jamming and spoofing.
- The delivery signifies a step towards India's self-reliance in defense technology.
The Indian Army has received 106 turbojet-powered kamikaze drones, named Peacekeeper (Agniveg), designed to engage high-value targets deep inside enemy territory and operate in contested electromagnetic environments. The delivery by defense technology firm SMPP marks a significant step in India's self-reliance in defense technology.
The Peacekeeper (Agniveg) drones have an operational range of 180 km and can reach speeds of up to 450 kmph. They are capable of conducting autonomous precision strike missions against critical military infrastructure, logistics hubs, command centers, and radar installations. SMPP stated that the system offers a flexible and cost-effective option for prosecuting time-sensitive targets while reducing risk to personnel.
According to SMPP, the drone is designed to withstand hostile electronic warfare measures, including jamming and spoofing attempts. During successful user trials, the Peacekeeper (Agniveg) demonstrated a circular error probable of less than five meters over an operational range of approximately 180 kilometers, even in heavily jammed and spoofed conditions.
Ashish Kansal, CEO and Director of SMPP, highlighted the rapid delivery timeframe of six months as a significant milestone for indigenous defense manufacturing. He noted that modern warfare increasingly relies on precision, autonomy, and affordability, making systems like the Peacekeeper critical force multipliers. SMPP has also offered an enhanced variant of the drone with an extended operational range for future consideration.