IG Defence Eyes Global Drone Exports Amid Gulf Tensions

IG Defence (previously IG Drones) has positioned its indigenous KAL long-range one-way attack drone for global export as demand for autonomous strike systems grows amid changing defence priorities in the Gulf. The company said exports will remain subject to Indian government approvals and regulatory clearances.

KAL is the company’s, and what they claim to be India’s first, indigenous 1,000-km-class long-range one-way attack drone. IG Defence said it developed the platform for deep-penetration missions against high-value strategic targets. 

The company expects growing demand from Gulf countries and other strategic regions investing in autonomous strike capabilities.

“The future battlefield will increasingly be defined by autonomous, long-range precision strike capabilities,” said Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya, Founder and CEO of IG Defence. He added that KAL marks an important step in India’s self-reliance in advanced defence technologies and demonstrates the country’s ability to develop indigenous systems. 

KAL belongs to the emerging class of Shahed-136-type long-range one-way attack drones. Such systems have changed modern warfare by combining extended range, precision strike capability, operational simplicity and lower costs. 

IG Defence identified Russia’s Geran-2 and the United States’ LUCAS as comparable platforms. The drone has an operational range of up to 1,000 km, an endurance of seven to eight hours and can carry a 50 kg payload. 

Sanghapriya said India is well placed to become “a trusted partner for reliable, affordable, and mission-ready unmanned platforms”, subject to government approvals and export controls. The platform also enables armed forces to engage strategic targets from extended stand-off distances while maintaining operational flexibility and cost efficiency.

The company said long-range one-way attack drones have become a key defence technology because they can deliver strategic effects at a lower cost than conventional missile systems. It added that governments worldwide are increasing investments in autonomous precision strike platforms to support deep-penetration operations and strengthen deterrence.

KAL supports India’s ambition to become a trusted supplier of indigenous defence technologies to friendly foreign nations. The company added that the platform aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and India’s goal of expanding its defence manufacturing and export capabilities.

The company also said it has developed defence technologies across interceptor drones, FPV combat drones, autonomous UAVs, counter-UAS systems, AI-enabled swarm technologies, electronic warfare solutions, tactical robotics and logistics drones.