India’s push toward self-reliance in defence technology has taken a decisive leap with the development of CATS Warrior (Combat Air Teaming System Warrior), an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) designed to complement manned fighter aircraft in contested airspace. Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the CATS Warrior is part of India’s broader loyal wingman concept, which aims to revolutionise network-centric warfare by integrating AI-driven drones with fighter aircraft like the Tejas, Su-30MKI, and Rafale.

The emergence of the CATS Warrior underlines India’s shift toward unmanned and autonomous warfare, aligning with global trends where drones are becoming indispensable force multipliers. While the platform remains under development, its ambitious roadmap indicates that India is actively competing in the loyal wingman UCAV space alongside countries like the United States (Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat), Russia (S-70 Okhotnik), and China (FH-97A and GJ-11 UCAVs).

Beyond HAL’s involvement, the success of CATS........

© News18