The Indian Navy has initiated the development of a cutting-edge Loyal Wingman drone, signaling a major step toward integrating manned-unmanned teaming (MUMT) into its naval aviation strategy. This move comes at a time when the timeline for inducting the Navy’s indigenous carrier-based aircraft has been significantly extended.
Bengaluru-based startup NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT) has been shortlisted for the development of the Naval Collaborative Combat Air Vehicle (N-CCAV), a futuristic unmanned system designed to operate alongside naval fighter jets. The drone will be based on NRT’s existing Abhimanyu Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) design, a jet-powered, stealthy unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV).
The project aligns with the Navy’s broader vision of enhancing its operational capabilities, especially as it navigates challenges associated with its aging carrier-based fleet.
The Loyal Wingman concept represents a revolutionary shift in military aviation, where autonomous or semi-autonomous drones operate alongside piloted aircraft. These unmanned platforms function as “wingmen,” executing critical combat and support missions, thereby enhancing situational awareness, extending operational reach, and mitigating risks to human pilots.
The Abhimanyu CCA, upon which the N-CCAV will be based, is engineered to conduct a range of missions, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare (EW), and kinetic strikes.
According to sources, the N-CCAV will team up with Indian Navy fighter jets, including the MiG-29K, the Rafale-M, and in the future, indigenous carrier-based aircraft. Although exact details of the Navy’s commitment remain undisclosed, reports indicate that the Navy has committed to procuring multiple N-CCAV units upon successful development.
At the ongoing Aero India 2025, a model of the Abhimanyu CCA was showcased, revealing a design featuring:
- A single vertical tail
- Horizontal stabilizers
- Swept wings
- A jet engine with dual air intakes positioned on either side of the rear fuselage
An accompanying infographic at the exhibition described Abhimanyu as a long-range, high-speed, swarm-capable, multirole drone. Key specifications include:
- Range: 1,000 km
- Endurance: 20 hours
- Operational Speed: 550 km/h
Notably, the Abhimanyu CCA is designed for seamless manned-unmanned collaboration, featuring an electro-optic/infrared camera for ISR missions and a warhead for kinetic attack operations.
When deployed alongside crewed aircraft, these drones are expected to enhance offensive and defensive capabilities, extending the sensor reach of carrier strike groups while improving tactical flexibility.
With the N-CCAV project, India joins an elite group of nations working on autonomous fighter wingmen, a domain where the United States, China, and Australia have already made significant progress.
In addition to Abhimanyu, HAL’s Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior, an unmanned wingman drone intended for the Indian Air Force (IAF), was also displayed at Aero India 2025. The CATS Warrior will support manned fighters such as the LCA Tejas, showcasing India’s growing focus on collaborative combat aircraft for both its naval and air forces.
While progress on the N-CCAV project is commendable, the Indian Navy’s indigenous carrier-based fighter aircraft program continues to face delays.
Currently, the MiG-29K remains the only carrier-capable aircraft in the Indian Navy’s fleet. However, the aircraft has been plagued with technical issues, including engine malfunctions, airframe inconsistencies, and maintenance challenges.
To address the shortfall, India is in the final stages of acquiring 26 Rafale-M fighters from France. However, the country’s long-term solution—the HAL Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF)—remains years away from induction.
According to the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the TEDBF’s delivery timeline extends to 2038, meaning that the MiG-29K will need to remain operational until then—a prospect that raises concerns given its declining reliability.
The development of the N-CCAV is expected to unfold in three key phases:
- Contract Signing – The Indian Navy and NRT are currently finalizing the details of the contract, which is expected to be signed in the coming months.
- Prototype Development –
- A scaled prototype will be delivered within 12 months of the contract signing.
- The final prototype is expected after 30 months.
- Final Delivery – The operational N-CCAV is slated for full delivery within 36 months.
A critical aspect of the N-CCAV’s development is its launch and recovery mechanism from aircraft carriers. The initial plan involves a catapult launch system, but future iterations may incorporate cargo box launches to expand deployment flexibility.
While the Indian Navy’s future combat doctrine envisions a seamless integration of unmanned systems with manned aircraft, the timeline discrepancy between the N-CCAV and TEDBF suggests that the loyal wingman drone will initially operate alongside legacy platforms like the MiG-29K and the Rafale-M rather than an indigenous naval fighter.
Despite these challenges, the introduction of the N-CCAV is expected to significantly enhance India’s naval combat capabilities, reinforcing its position as a rising power in unmanned aerial combat.
As the Indian Navy moves forward with its manned-unmanned teaming strategy, the development of the N-CCAV highlights a strategic pivot toward autonomy, networked warfare, and force multiplication.
While the TEDBF remains years away from induction, the N-CCAV will likely enter service much sooner, offering an advanced, indigenous combat capability at sea.
The next few years will be crucial for both projects, determining whether India can achieve self-reliance in naval aviation technology while keeping pace with global advancements in military aviation.
For now, the loyal wingman drone project represents a bold step forward, ensuring that India’s naval aviation remains future-ready in an evolving maritime security environment.
