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Monograph 03 · Defence Technology

Next War & Emerging Technologies: AI, Autonomous UAV/UCAVs, Counter-Drone, Electronic Warfare, Cyber & Space

Defence Observer Strategic Research Centre · 12 Oct 2026 · 20 min read

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Night launch of India's first long-range hypersonic missile by DRDO from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast

Key facts

Hypersonic strike range
>1,500 km
LRLACM range
1,000 km class
Guided Pinaka
75 km+
Desk
Defence Technology
Published
12 Oct 2026
Reading time
20 min

Abstract

Sensor-to-shooter compression, low-cost unmanned saturation, layered counter-UAS defence and denial of the electromagnetic spectrum increasingly decide battlefield outcomes. This study assesses eleven emerging technology verticals within India's defence innovation landscape.

Eleven technology verticals

  • Artificial intelligence: target recognition, predictive maintenance, wargaming and decision support.
  • Autonomous systems: ground, underwater and surface vehicles for logistics, mine countermeasures and patrol.
  • UAV/UCAV and loitering munitions, from high-altitude ISR to swarms and precision strike.
  • Counter-drone: hard-kill (directed energy, air-burst, interceptor drones) and soft-kill (RF jamming, GNSS spoofing).
  • Electronic warfare: spectrum monitoring, radar warning, direction finding and jamming.
  • Cyber defence of command nodes, energy grids and transport.
  • Space: earth observation, SAR, secure SATCOM and space situational awareness.
  • Quantum: key distribution, sensing and post-quantum cryptography.
  • Military robotics: exoskeletons, EOD robots and high-altitude mule robots.
  • Advanced sensors: AESA radars, EO/IR payloads and acoustic seabed arrays.
  • Battlefield communication: software-defined radios, tactical data links and mesh networks.

Startups and dual-use innovation

Through iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) and the Technology Development Fund, startups and academic labs shorten prototype cycles and adapt commercial technology for harsh military conditions.

What the record shows

17 Nov 2024PIB release 2073994 (opens in a new tab)

Official record: DRDO flight-tested India's first long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island; it is designed to carry various payloads beyond 1,500 km for all three Services.

Defence Observer synthesis: Hypersonic glide capability compresses an adversary's air-defence decision time on both continental and maritime fronts.

14 Nov 2024PIB release 2073384 (opens in a new tab)

Official record: DRDO completed flight tests of the Guided Pinaka in three phases at different ranges, validating range, accuracy and production readiness with industry partners.

Defence Observer synthesis: Guiding Pinaka turns an area-saturation rocket system into a precision counter-battery tool for Corps and Division commanders.

12 Nov 2024PIB release 2072829 (opens in a new tab)

Official record: DRDO conducted the maiden flight-test of the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile from the Integrated Test Range off Odisha; all sub-systems met their primary objectives.

Defence Observer synthesis: A common subsonic cruise missile for mobile launchers and naval vertical launch cells gives a scalable long-range conventional strike reserve.

Assessment

  • Indigenous hypersonic, guided-rocket and cruise-missile programmes widen India's conventional stand-off options.
  • These systems are most useful when integrated into tri-service theatre structures.
  • iDEX and dual-use innovation are now part of how capability is built.

Sources & citation

Cite this paper

Defence Observer Strategic Research Centre (2026). Next War & Emerging Technologies: AI, Autonomous UAV/UCAVs, Counter-Drone, Electronic Warfare, Cyber & Space. Defence Observer, PRGI Reg. No. DLBIL/26/A7836.