Indian Navy Collaborates With NewSpace To Develop ‘Loyal Wingman’

The Indian Navy has partnered with Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT) to develop the Naval Collaborative Combat Air Vehicle (N-CCAV), a jet-powered drone named Abhimanyu.

Designed as a loyal wingman, Abhimanyu is set to operate alongside India’s MiG fighter jets and future Rafale-Ms. The latest model of the drone is currently on display at the Aero India 2025 exhibition in Bengaluru.

The Abhimanyu project is partially funded by the Indian Ministry of Defense’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative and internal company funding.

iDEX, launched in 2018, has been hosting Acing Development of Innovative Technologies (ADITI) challenges, one of which focused on the Navy’s N-CCAV requirements.

Per reports, the Indian Navy plans a fleet of Abhimanyu drones, each with different capabilities. These drones will enhance situational awareness, extend sensor reach, and provide tactical flexibility for carrier-based operations.

They could also be deployed onshore for additional support in naval missions.

The Abhimanyu drone is designed for stealth and high-speed operations. While not a fully stealth aircraft,…

CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM MarineInsight HERE