Archive · 6 Oct 2026
India Must Invest in Sensors for GPS-Denied Combat Drones
Drones can have trouble finding their way if an enemy blocks GPS signals.
Major General RC Padhi said drones need other ways to navigate in that situation.
Special antennas can help resist jamming, while onboard motion sensors can track where a drone is going.
More advanced equipment may help too, but it can cost more.
Padhi said building a drone is about more than making its body.
Sensors, engines and electronics are important parts as well.
He thinks India should invest more in making its own sensors.
He also pointed to robotics, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies as important for future unmanned systems.
Major General RC Padhi said resilient navigation is vital as electronic warfare becomes routine.
Jamming or degradation of satellite-navigation signals can force drones to use alternative navigation technologies.
CRPA antennas and inertial measurement units can help drones navigate when satellite signals are unavailable.
Padhi said advanced seekers may improve capability but can substantially raise system costs.
He urged greater investment in indigenous sensors and identified engines, robotics, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies as important areas.
- Who
- Major General RC Padhi, Senior Vice President at IG Defence.
- What
- Padhi discussed technologies that help combat drones navigate when GPS or communications are disrupted, and called for investment in indigenous sensors.
- When
- In an interview on Defence Pulse; no date is stated.
- Where
- The interview was on Defence Pulse; no further location is stated.
- Why
- Electronic warfare can disrupt satellite-navigation and communications links, so drones need resilient navigation and domestic capabilities.
Investment trade-offs
Investment trade-offs
Advanced seekers and system cost
Investment trade-offs
More sophisticated seekers can provide another capability for drone systems.
Investment trade-offs
Padhi said seekers can substantially increase the system's cost.
- Interviewee
- Major General RC Padhi
- Role
- Senior Vice President at IG Defence
- Interview platform
- Defence Pulse
- Navigation technologies cited
- CRPA antennas and inertial measurement units (IMUs)
- Potential cost factor
- More sophisticated seekers can substantially increase system cost
- Priority capability
- Indigenous sensors
- Other areas highlighted
- Engines, robotics, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies