What Drones Does India Have? MQ-9B, Heron, Ghatak and Nagastra

India’s military drone fleet has long been built around Israeli Heron and Searcher aircraft and, more recently, American MQ-9 drones. In October 2024 it ordered 31 MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian drones from the United States, and after the drone-heavy fighting with Pakistan in May 2025 it launched a large push to build its own, from the Ghatak stealth combat drone to cheap loitering munitions such as the Nagastra. The Indian drone market is projected to reach about $11 billion by 2030.

This guide covers India’s main military drones, what they do and how the 2025 conflict changed India’s plans.

What drones does India have?

India began buying military drones from Israel in the late 1990s, and Israeli aircraft still make up much of its medium-altitude fleet. Its own designs, developed by DRDO and private companies, have been slower to mature, but small drones and loitering munitions are now produced in large numbers by Indian firms.

MQ-9B and Heron

The 31 MQ-9B drones ordered from General Atomics in October 2024, in a deal worth about $3.5 billion, are split between the navy, army and air force. They will give India long-range surveillance over the Indian Ocean and the Chinese border, and the ability to carry weapons. The navy has leased two unarmed SeaGuardians since 2020 to watch Chinese ships in the Indian Ocean. The mainstay of the fleet, however, remains Israeli: Heron drones of several versions fly along the borders with Pakistan and China. Their maker is profiled in our article on General Atomics.

Ghatak and CATS Warrior

India’s most ambitious drone is the Ghatak, a stealth flying-wing combat drone being developed by DRDO, with an engine derived from the Kaveri programme. A sub-scale demonstrator, SWiFT, has flown. Reports in 2026 said the Defence Acquisition Council had recommended buying 60. HAL is separately developing the CATS Warrior, a “loyal wingman” drone designed to fly alongside crewed fighters such as the Tejas, which is described in our guide to Indian fighter jets.

Drones in Operation Sindoor

The four-day conflict with Pakistan in May 2025 was the first major drone war between two nuclear powers. Pakistan launched large numbers of drones, many of Turkish and Chinese origin, at Indian cities and bases, most of which Indian air defences shot down. India in turn used loitering munitions, widely reported to include the Israeli Harop, to strike Pakistani air defences. The experience led the Indian Army to plan new drone platoons and to order tens of thousands of loitering munitions from Indian companies. India’s air defences are covered in our guide to Indian air defence.

How does India compare?

China is far ahead, with stealth combat drones such as the GJ-11 and a vast industry for small drones, as our guide to Chinese drones shows. Pakistan uses Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones and Chinese types. India’s position is improving quickly, but it still depends heavily on imports for larger drones.

Frequently asked questions

What drones does India have?

India’s main military drones include Israeli Heron and Searcher drones, American MQ-9B drones on order, Israeli Harop loitering munitions and Indian-made loitering munitions such as the Nagastra.

How many MQ-9B drones did India buy?

India ordered 31 MQ-9B drones from the United States in October 2024, split among the navy, army and air force.

What is the Ghatak drone?

A stealth flying-wing combat drone being developed by India’s DRDO.

Did India use drones in Operation Sindoor?

Yes. India used loitering munitions, widely reported to include the Israeli Harop, against Pakistani air defences in May 2025.

Does India make its own military drones?

Yes, increasingly. Indian firms produce loitering munitions and small drones, and DRDO and HAL are developing larger combat drones.

How does India compare with China in drones?

China is well ahead, with stealth combat drones in service and a much larger drone industry.