India is accelerating its push toward defense indigenization with a bold new venture: the development of long-range attack drones powered entirely by domestically built engines. According to a November 30 report by the Economic Times, the state-owned National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) has partnered with a private manufacturer in a public-private model that could significantly reposition India in the global unmanned systems landscape. The project marks a key milestone for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, especially as the nation seeks strategic autonomy in the production of advanced defense platforms.

For decades, India has depended extensively on foreign suppliers for critical UAV components, particularly engines. From surveillance drones to emerging combat-capable UAVs, propulsion systems have been one of the weakest links in India’s domestic manufacturing chain. The latest NAL–Solar Defense and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) agreement directly targets this vulnerability by adopting India-developed Wankel engine technology for long-range drone applications.

The centerpiece of the project is NAL’s 30-horsepower Wankel rotary engine, a compact and efficient powerplant that has already received crucial certification for flight testing. This engine will initially be integrated into UAVs designed for endurance missions lasting up to nine hours. These drones are expected to strike targets at ranges exceeding 560 miles-an operational capability that........

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