New Delhi: In a landmark achievement, India has successfully completed the test flight of its indigenous unmanned combat aircraft, the Archer-NG, signaling its entry into the elite league of nations with advanced drone warfare capabilities. The medium-altitude, long-endurance drone was tested at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka, demonstrating advanced performance across a 45-minute flight.
Developed entirely in India, the Archer-NG represents a significant leap in the country's defense technology, aligning it with global powers such as the United States and China. Defense analysts highlight that the drone’s successful flight is expected to enhance India’s strategic and tactical capabilities, particularly in surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strikes.
Officials emphasized the self-reliant nature of this development, which is part of India’s broader push under the “Make in India” initiative to indigenize defense production and reduce dependence on foreign technology. The test marks a crucial step toward operational deployment and further experimentation with autonomous combat missions.
Experts believe that Archer-NG’s success will not only strengthen India’s military preparedness but also boost the nation’s position in the global defense technology arena, signaling a new era of indigenous aerial combat capabilities.