AI-powered drones are set to rule the warzone, and India looks all set to dominate thanks to its tech collaboration with the US and other nations.
Russia has recently rolled out a new AI-powered machine vision kamikaze drone that narrows the technological gap between AI-powered drones fielded earlier by Ukrainian forces.
The Tuvik drone is a battlefield drone designed to destroy the enemy’s armed vehicles and other military hardware. Featuring a flying wing airframe, the UAV has a range of 30 km (18 miles) and a maximum speed of 180 km/h (111 miles/h).
According to Sputnik Globe, the Tuvik is a mini-version of Russia’s legendary Geran kamikaze drone.
AI-Enabled Machine Vision Drones
A new generation of AI-enabled drones with machine vision are changing the battlefield by switching to fully autonomous mode, allowing them to survive and operate in GPS and comms-denied environments.
These drones are impervious to EW-based counter-drone systems, which are honed to disrupt a drone’s satellite-based navigation capability and degrade its communication link with the drone operator, resulting in the drone’s loss.
US companies like Anduril and Shield AI pioneered the technology, fielding drones such as V-BAT and Nova. These drones use onboard AI and vision-based navigation to map terrain, track targets, and fly out of EW zones—no remote link is needed.
These “smart drones” are resilient, adaptive, and deadly, offering a glimpse of how future wars will be fought.
V-BAT Drones
The vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) V-BAT can use machine vision to fix its INS-computed ground position, thereby safely operating in an intense electronic warfare environment where GPS signals and communication links are jammed.
The V-BAT, known as the MQ-35 in the US, can complete its mission from start to finish without an operator in the loop. A single operator can control a minimum of five drones; aircraft flight paths are not plotted by humans but are always generated autonomously in real time.
It has a 500 km range and can loiter over the target area for 10 hours in horizontal mode.
The V-BAT has a payload capacity of 11.3 kg and a service ceiling of 6 km.
Its sensor suite comprises EO/mid-wave infrared (MWIR) cameras for high-resolution imaging across diverse lighting conditions.
Anduril’s Altius 600M & 700M Kamikaze Drones
Anduril Industries has deployed AI-enabled drones with machine vision capabilities in Ukraine. Notably, the Altius 600M and 700M loitering munitions were supplied under a UK-backed contract valued at nearly £30 million, funded by the International Fund for Ukraine.
These drones are designed for autonomous reconnaissance and precision strikes. They utilize onboard AI to identify and engage targets without continuous operator input.
The ALTIUS-600M has a range of up to 440 kilometers (approximately 273 miles) and an endurance of 4 hours. It can take on soft skin targets with its 3.17 kilograms (7 pounds) warhead.
The ALTIUS-700M has a range of up to 160 kilometers (approximately 100 miles) and an endurance of approximately 75 minutes. It is designed for high-impact strikes against heavily armored targets using its 15-kilogram (33-pound) warhead, prioritizing payload capacity over range and endurance.
Russian AI-Powered Machine Vision Drones: Affordable Autonomy On The Battlefield
While U.S. drone manufacturers are developing high-endurance, long-range autonomous drones with large warheads, their systems remain expensive to procure, operate, and maintain, often requiring extensive training and logistical support.
In contrast, Russia is fielding more modest but radically cheaper AI-enabled drones with increasing autonomy and resilience.
Ovat-S: AI Autonomy In An FPV Package
Russia’s first operational use of machine vision in combat was the Ovat-S FPV kamikaze drone. Equipped with an onboard neural network processor and AI-based machine vision, the drone can independently identify and lock onto targets, continuing the attack even if the control link is severed after operator confirmation.
It operates effectively in GPS-denied or EW-contested environments and carries a 3.5 kg warhead. With a range of ~8 km and a top speed of 180 kph, it can fly for 8–10 minutes.
It also supports remote detonation and self-destruct capabilities—features typically seen in more expensive Western drones.
BONS: Kalashnikov’s AI Optical Navigation System
Kalashnikov recently announced the successful development of BONS (Autonomous Optical Navigation System)—an AI-powered visual navigation solution designed for precision guidance in GPS-denied environments.
Using onboard cameras and real-time image processing, BONS allows drones to recognize terrain, fix INS drift, and navigate or track targets autonomously.
SKAT 350M: Field Trials Underway
BONS is currently undergoing field trials on Kalashnikov’s SKAT 350M drone—a heavily upgraded version of the Supercam 350.
With up to 4.5 hours of flight time and a communication range of 50–100 km, the SKAT 350M boasts redesigned aerodynamics, structural reinforcements, and enhanced control systems, enabling optical and IR surveillance missions in contested airspace.
Conclusion
AI-powered machine vision isn’t just countering EW — it’s set to become a foundational technology driving autonomous weapon systems across domains.
India has already jumped aboard this technological wave. In late 2024, it partnered with U.S.-based Shield AI to locally manufacture V-BAT drones through JSW Defence.
Backed by a $90 million investment over two years, the deal includes setting up production facilities and operator training programs, marking a significant step in India’s autonomous defence capability.
Speculatively, it is conceivable that Indian forces may have employed V-BAT drones—possibly acquired for field trials and training—during Operation Sindoor. However, no public evidence currently supports this.
India’s growing investment in AI-enabled drone technology, through partnerships like that with Shield AI, signals a strategic shift toward autonomy and smarter warfare capabilities in future conflicts.
- Vijainder K Thakur is a retired IAF Jaguar pilot, author, software architect, entrepreneur, and military analyst.
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