India's Stealth UCAV Ghatak Unveils Radar-Reducing Technologies in Crucial Engineering Tenders

India's Stealth Combat Drone Programme Takes Shape

The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) has released a comprehensive set of engineering tenders for India's indigenous stealth combat drone, Ghatak, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to develop a cutting-edge Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). The tenders, which follow the Defence Acquisition Council's clearance of four squadrons of Ghatak, provide a detailed insight into the programme's technical requirements and the challenges being addressed by ADE engineers.

Stealth Coatings and Radar Absorbent Materials

One of the key areas of focus in the tender specifications is the development of Radar Absorbent Materials (RAM) and Radar Absorbent Paints (RAP). These coatings play a crucial role in reducing the radar signature of the Ghatak airframe, with geometry accounting for approximately 70 percent of the reduction and coatings and materials contributing the remaining 30 percent. The tenders outline the demanding durability requirements for these coatings, which must withstand sustained exposure to sub-zero temperatures above 30,000 feet along the Line of Actual Control, as well as high-humidity and saline conditions in a maritime operating environment.

Infrared-Suppressing Coatings

In addition to RAM/RAP work, ADE has also tendered for infrared-suppressing coatings focused on the engine nozzle area. This is a direct response to the heat signature generated by the dry Kaveri derivative engine, which is a critical component of the Ghatak programme. The infrared-suppressing coatings are designed to counteract infrared search-and-track systems and heat-seeking threats, which geometry-based stealth alone cannot address.

Structural Evaluation and Control Authority

The tender specifications also cover the full-scale Static Test Article, which will undergo both destructive and non-destructive structural evaluation. The flying-wing configuration of the Ghatak airframe, deliberately built without a vertical stabiliser to minimise radar cross-section, creates a challenging engineering problem around managing torsional stresses during dynamic manoeuvres. ADE has tendered for high-precision hydraulic actuators to address this issue, which will be central to how the aircraft maintains control authority without traditional tail-mounted control surfaces.

Programme Milestones and Schedule

The Ghatak programme has gained significant momentum in recent months, with the Defence Procurement Board recommending 60 units in March 2026 and the DAC formally clearing the programme as part of a ₹2.38 lakh crore package. The full-scale UCAV is expected to come in under 15 tonnes maximum takeoff weight, powered by a dry, non-afterburning Kaveri derivative producing 46-52 kN of thrust. The internal weapons bay will carry up to 1.5 tonnes of precision munitions, rail-launched to preserve the low-observable profile.

Key Takeaways

• The Aeronautical Development Establishment has released a comprehensive set of engineering tenders for India's indigenous stealth combat drone, Ghatak.
• The tenders outline the demanding durability requirements for Radar Absorbent Materials and Radar Absorbent Paints, which must withstand sub-zero temperatures and high-humidity conditions.
• ADE has tendered for infrared-suppressing coatings focused on the engine nozzle area to counteract infrared search-and-track systems and heat-seeking threats.
• The Ghatak programme has gained significant momentum, with the Defence Procurement Board recommending 60 units and the DAC formally clearing the programme in March 2026.
• The full-scale UCAV is expected to come in under 15 tonnes maximum takeoff weight, powered by a dry, non-afterburning Kaveri derivative engine.