India’s def company SMPP joins hands with European firm KNDS to make next-gen loitering munitions in India
NEW DELHI: India’s defence and aerospace company SMPP on Thursday entered into an agreement with European defence company KNDS at the Eurosatory exhibition to manufacture state-of-the-art loitering munitions in India. The partnership aligns with the govt’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by combining technology transfer with indigenous manufacturing.These loitering munitions include VELOCE and RODEUR systems, along with the ISTAR family of drones, enabling a highly effective “search-and-destroy” capability. These systems have the capability to neutralise high-value threats with exceptional precision and leverage a hybrid guidance system that combines a multi-constellation Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver with an inertial navigation system (INS) to ensure accuracy across diverse terrains and combat environments.The fire- and-forget capability further enhances their effectiveness in complex operational scenarios, including precision strikes against strategic enemy assets.Under the teaming agreement, SMPP and KNDS will focus on offering these loitering munitions to the Indian Army under the Make-in-India framework, strengthening India’s capability to address key operational requirements of the Indian armed forces. This agreement comes at a time when the Indian Army has a significant and urgent requirement for advanced loitering munitions.SMPP and KNDS had earlier signed an agreement for the Katana range of precision-guided artillery ammunition on Nov 20, 2025 in Paris. Katana is a 155 mm precision-guided artillery munition designed to deliver exceptional accuracy and extended range while addressing the evolving operational requirements of modern artillery systems.
