Bengaluru-based Anadrone Systems Private Limited has unveiled plans for SHAKTI, an indigenous long-range loitering munition designed to conduct precision strikes against high-value targets at distances of up to 1,000 kilometres. The announcement highlights the growing maturity of India’s private defence sector, with domestic companies increasingly investing in advanced unmanned strike platforms and autonomous weapon technologies.
SHAKTI is being developed as a long-endurance, expendable strike UAV capable of executing deep-penetration missions in contested environments. According to the company, the system will be able to carry a 25-kg warhead while remaining airborne for nearly four hours. This combination of range, payload capacity, and endurance positions the platform within the strategic long-range loitering munition category, suitable for engaging command centres, radar installations, logistics facilities, and other critical military assets.
The programme reflects a broader shift in modern warfare, where cost-effective autonomous drones are increasingly being used to neutralise high-value targets traditionally engaged by more expensive platforms. Long-range loitering munitions combine surveillance, target acquisition, and strike functions into a single system, enabling operators to identify and attack targets with precision during a single mission.
Anadrone states that SHAKTI will feature a wide-angle onboard camera for real-time target verification before impact, allowing operators to confirm targets and minimise collateral damage. Such capabilities have become standard requirements for modern loitering munitions, particularly when engaging mobile or time-sensitive targets in hostile territory.
Based on available imagery, SHAKTI adopts a stealth-oriented flying-wing configuration designed to maximise aerodynamic efficiency while reducing radar detectability. The tailless blended wing-body layout, swept wing design, and streamlined structure suggest a focus on low observability and extended range. Minimal external features and compact stabilising surfaces further indicate an emphasis on survivability during deep-strike operations.
The UAV’s central fuselage appears to accommodate an internally integrated propulsion system optimised for endurance and fuel efficiency. Its overall design resembles emerging low-observable strike drones being developed globally for autonomous long-range precision attack missions.
Promotional material also suggests that SHAKTI is intended to operate effectively in mountainous and high-altitude regions, with imagery depicting the platform flying over terrain similar to the Himalayan sector. This points to potential applications in challenging operational environments and heavily defended areas.
India’s growing focus on long-range loitering munitions reflects evolving battlefield requirements, where unmanned systems are increasingly complementing or replacing traditional strike aircraft for certain mission sets. Compared to manned combat aircraft and cruise missiles, such platforms offer a more affordable solution for persistent surveillance and precision engagement while reducing operational risks and costs.
