UNMANNED • TRIALS

Tapas-BH-201 & Archer-NG (MALE Armed Reconnaissance UAV)

Lead Agency: DRDO (ADE) / HAL / BEL / Private Consortium • Service: Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Navy • Budget: ₹1,500 Cr • IDDM: 75%

Strategic Overview

Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) surveillance and weaponized drone capable of 28,000 ft operations with SATCOM datalink and anti-tank missiles.

Order of Battle & Operational Deployments

Tri-Services MALE UAV Evaluation Flights ("Tapas / Archer Recon Detachment") — Aeronautical Test Range Chitradurga / Forward Air Bases (Tri-Services Joint Surveillance Command) — Status: evaluating
MoD Annual Report 2023-24: Tactical & MALE UAV Program Review (Ministry of Defence)