Low-cost unmanned aerial systems are increasingly transforming modern warfare, a trend clearly visible in conflicts over the past decade, including the prolonged Russia–Ukraine war and the ongoing hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. These relatively inexpensive yet highly capable drones are enabling militaries to conduct deep-strike missions and sustained attacks without relying solely on costly conventional air power. Their growing role marks a shift toward asymmetric strategies where affordability and scale can outweigh traditional technological superiority.
A prominent example is Iran’s Shahed-136 drone, which has become central to Tehran’s military strategy. Designed as a low-cost loitering munition, each unit is estimated to cost between $20,000 and $50,000, making it far cheaper than most conventional precision-strike platforms. Despite its modest price, the drone can travel long distances and deliver explosive payloads with significant impact. Its effectiveness has influenced drone development programs in several countries, including the United States, whose LUCAS (Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System) reportedly follows a similar design philosophy. India is also accelerating indigenous programs focused on long-range, cost-effective strike drones to strengthen its own operational capabilities.
Before featuring in the current West Asian conflict, the Shahed-136 gained global attention during the Russia–Ukraine war. Russia deployed the drone—rebranded as Geran-2—to strike infrastructure and military targets, compelling Ukraine to spend heavily on air defence intercepts. The campaign demonstrated how a country without a dominant air force could still execute deep-penetration strikes using drones and missile systems. The visual and structural similarities between the American LUCAS drone and Iran’s Shahed platform further underscore the influence of this low-cost design model.
Even earlier, the Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh highlighted how drones and loitering munitions could decisively influence battlefield outcomes. Azerbaijan’s extensive use of unmanned systems, particularly those sourced from Israel and Turkey, played a critical role in its military success. These conflicts collectively showed that unmanned aerial systems could neutralize traditional advantages in armour and air power.
A key strategic dimension of such platforms is economic attrition. Low-cost drones force adversaries to deploy highly expensive air defence systems, creating an unfavorable cost imbalance. For instance, while a Shahed-136 drone costs a fraction of traditional weapons, intercepting it may require missiles costing millions of dollars. A single Patriot interceptor can cost around $4 million, and some advanced systems may reach $12 million per shot. This disparity makes mass drone deployment an effective method to strain enemy resources.
Recognizing this shift, India is advancing two major indigenous long-range strike drone initiatives aimed at enhancing precision attack capabilities at lower operational costs. The Sheshnag-150 is being developed by Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research and Technologies, while Project KAL is led by Noida-based IG Defence. These programs are intended to provide India’s armed forces with affordable, long-range precision-strike options suited for modern combat environments.
India has already inducted several domestically developed unmanned systems across operational roles. High-end platforms such as Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) and High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones remain under development or in trial phases. Meanwhile, smaller tactical, surveillance, swarm, and combat drones produced by Indian private firms and government agencies have been deployed operationally, including during military exercises and real-world scenarios.
Among the operational loitering munitions is the Nagastra-1 developed by Solar Industries India, which has been inducted in batches since 2024. These one-way attack systems allow ground forces to carry out precision strikes while minimizing collateral damage. Another platform, the SkyStriker loitering munition developed by Alpha Design Technologies in partnership with Elbit Systems, saw operational use during Operation Sindoor in forward areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Project KAL is currently in early development and is envisioned as a deep-penetration strike drone capable of travelling up to 1,000 kilometres with an endurance of three to five hours. The system is designed to enter hostile territory, identify and track targets, modify its flight path mid-mission, and deliver a high-explosive payload with precision. It falls under the category of kamikaze or loitering munitions intended for one-way attack missions.
The Sheshnag-150, named after the mythological serpent king, is a heavier long-range swarming strike drone designed for saturation and deep-strike operations. Weighing approximately 150 kilograms, it offers an estimated range of 1,000 to 1,200 kilometres, can carry a payload of 25 to 40 kilograms, and has an endurance exceeding five hours. Its defining capability lies in AI-enabled swarm technology, allowing multiple drones to coordinate autonomously, evade defences, and strike targets simultaneously. The platform completed its maiden flight in February 2025, with development gaining momentum after Operation Sindoor. The Sheshnag series also includes shorter-range variants such as the SN-20 and SN-50 for tactical missions.
Other Indian defence firms are reportedly pursuing similar low-cost drone concepts, although detailed specifications remain undisclosed. Additionally, IG Drones conducted First-Person View (FPV) drone trials in high-altitude areas along the Line of Actual Control with China, testing platforms such as the Striker FPV drone designed for combat, reconnaissance, and intelligence missions.
Globally, the influence of the Shahed-136 continues to shape drone warfare strategies. Its simple structure, long operational range of up to 2,500 kilometres, and warhead capacity of roughly 40–50 kilograms make it highly effective in asymmetric warfare. The relatively low unit cost enables large-scale production and swarm deployment capable of overwhelming sophisticated air defence systems.
The United States’ LUCAS drone, reportedly priced at around $35,000, reflects a similar emphasis on affordability and operational efficiency. In contrast, advanced platforms like the MQ-9B SkyGuardian developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems offer superior endurance, altitude performance, and sensor integration but come at a much higher cost, typically ranging from $30 million to $80 million per unit depending on configuration. At that price point, hundreds of low-cost drones could be produced instead, illustrating the scale advantage of inexpensive systems.
Senior military officials have acknowledged this shift. US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper described such systems as indispensable tools that can even be turned against their originators. Defence analysts and observers have similarly emphasized their strategic value.
Indian defence experts have also advocated faster operational deployment of indigenous low-cost strike drones. Military veterans and aviation analysts have highlighted the advantages of mass production and swarm deployment to overwhelm hostile integrated air defence systems. Journalists and security commentators have likewise noted that platforms like Project KAL represent a significant step toward expanding India’s indigenous combat drone capabilities.
As unmanned warfare technologies evolve rapidly, their battlefield relevance continues to grow—from trench warfare in Eastern Europe to heavily defended airspaces in West Asia. Defence specialists consider these developments especially timely given India’s security environment and regional tensions. Further advancements and disclosures are expected as indigenous programs progress.
