The Drone Fleet is Coming, And India is Not Ready

Drone carriers are not a niche technology that India can afford to ignore, and any delay in developing these compromises our geopolitical standing.

When Iran recently unveiled its first drone carrier warship, the Shahid Bagheri, it caught the world off guard. A converted commercial vessel now capable of launching squadrons of drones, helicopters, and cruise missiles, the Bagheri has a range of 22,000 nautical miles, significantly expanding Iran’s maritime reach. More than just a new warship, it signals a shift in naval strategy: the rise of drone carriers as cost-effective alternatives to traditional aircraft carriers. And while nations race to build and deploy these game-changing vessels, India finds itself lagging dangerously behind.

The idea of a drone carrier is not new. In essence, it is a naval vessel, either manned or remotely operated, with a flight deck that enables the deployment of drones, helicopters, and missile systems. Unlike conventional aircraft carriers, drone carriers are significantly cheaper, requiring neither manned fighter jets nor the extensive logistics of pilot training and maintenance. This cost-effectiveness has made them an attractive proposition for many countries, particularly those looking to expand their naval capabilities without breaking the bank.

As is often the case, the United States was the first to seriously explore the drone carrier concept. In 2013, DARPA (the Pentagon’s advanced research agency) began developing a fleet of small naval vessels capable of launching and recovering combat drones. The U.S. Navy has since made significant progress in integrating drone operations into its naval fleet, setting the stage for a future where swarms of unmanned aircraft could redefine maritime dominance.

Other nations quickly followed. In February 2021, Turkey adapted its amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu, originally intended to deploy F-35B fighter jets, to operate UAVs instead after its removal from the F-35 program by the United States. In November 2024, Turkey successfully launched and recovered its Bayraktar TB3 UAV from the vessel, marking a historic first. This single achievement has significantly bolstered Turkey’s naval deterrence.

China, never one to be left behind in military innovation, launched its first unmanned drone carrier, Zhuhai Cloud, in 2022, officially designating it for maritime research. However, observers suspect military applications. In May 2024, satellite imagery revealed the construction of another drone carrier in China’s Jiangsu Dayang Marine Shipyard - a catamaran-hulled vessel with a low flight deck. The exact nature of its capabilities remains unclear, but one thing is certain: China is committed to mastering drone carrier technology.

Portugal, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are also making steady progress. The UK, in particular, has partnered with the Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA) to develop a drone carrier strategy that could transform its naval doctrine.

And then there is India, currently reduced to watching from the sidelines.

Despite its growing regional ambitions and maritime interests, India has yet to make significant strides in drone carrier technology. Its long-range UAV programs remain underdeveloped, hindered by an inefficient defence procurement system, inadequate research and development funding, and an overreliance on the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and state-owned enterprises. Private sector participation in defence manufacturing remains stifled, further slowing progress.

Meanwhile, China continues to invest heavily in both its own naval capabilities and those of its allies. It has already helped Pakistan and Bangladesh strengthen their economic and military infrastructure, exacerbating India’s security concerns.

Given these realities, India must act fast. The country’s strategic focus has long been on developing its submarine fleet as a counter to China’s growing naval presence. While that remains crucial, aircraft carriers, costly to build and maintain, may not be the best investment in an era where drones and unmanned systems are reshaping warfare. Instead, India should consider a more pragmatic approach: a fleet of drone carriers capable of conducting surveillance, reconnaissance, and offensive operations at sea.

A well-developed drone carrier program would allow India to counter asymmetric threats, offset its numerical and technological disadvantages against China, and project power across the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions. It would enhance deterrence, making adversaries think twice before engaging in naval provocations.

More importantly, drone carriers are not a niche technology that India can afford to ignore. Their proliferation in the Indian Ocean is inevitable, and any delay in developing this capability will compromise India’s geopolitical and military standing. As drone carriers gain prominence, military budgets worldwide are shifting towards UAV technology, naval electronic warfare, and counter-drone measures. The unpredictability of unmanned warfare is introducing new uncertainties, heightening geopolitical risks and making conflicts more volatile. Even the world’s most powerful navies are rethinking their reliance on traditional carrier fleets as cost-effective drone carriers become operationally viable.

India must recognize these shifts and adapt on its own terms, rather than being compelled to do so out of necessity. The alternative is strategic irrelevance in an era of rapidly evolving military technology.

The ancient strategist Sun Tzu once observed, “Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” For India, the opportunity to lead in drone carrier technology is slipping away. If it fails to act now, it will soon find itself playing catch-up in a world where naval warfare is no longer fought solely by manned warships, but by swarms of drones launched from nimble, cost-effective carriers.

(The author is a retired naval aviation officer and geo-political analyst. Views personal.)