The Indian military has taken a significant step in modernizing its unmanned fleet by acquiring several dozen Berkut-BM strike drones from Belarus. This deal, reported on January 18, 2026, marks a new chapter in India’s defense strategy. The drones are produced by a Belarusian company called Indela and are designed for high-speed, one-way attack missions.
High-Speed Technology and Performance
The Berkut-BM is not your average surveillance drone. It is a jet-powered system built for speed and precision. Unlike slower, propeller-driven drones, the Berkut-BM uses micro turbojet engines made by the Chinese company Swiwin. This advanced propulsion allows it to reach impressive speeds of up to 410 km/h.
This high velocity is a tactical advantage. By flying faster, the drone gives enemy air defenses much less time to react. It is specifically designed to hit “high-priority” targets—such as mobile radar units or command centers—before they have a chance to move or hide.
Key technical details include:
- Top Speed: Approximately 410 km/h.
- Operational Range: Roughly 150 to 180 kilometers.
- Warhead: A 10-kilogram high-explosive fragmentation charge.
- Launch Method: Catapult-launched, meaning it doesn’t need a runway.
Because it uses a catapult system, the Berkut-BM can be deployed from hidden or forward positions. This allows commanders to launch strikes from areas that are difficult for the enemy to monitor, providing a high level of tactical flexibility.
Targeting Critical Infrastructure
The primary role of the Berkut-BM is to seek out and destroy high-value assets. Its 10-kilogram warhead is powerful enough to neutralize:
- Radar systems and air defense units.
- Artillery and rocket launcher positions
- Logistics hubs and supply lines.
- Lightly armored vehicle columns.
This makes the drone a “game-changer” for deep-penetration missions. By using these expendable drones, India can strike deep behind enemy lines without risking the lives of pilots or the loss of expensive manned aircraft.
India’s Evolving Defense Ties
This purchase comes at a time when India is carefully balancing its international relationships. Despite global tensions and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, India continues to maintain strong defense ties with Russia and its close partners, like Belarus.
Russia remains India’s largest arms supplier, making up about 36% of the country’s total military hardware. In late 2025, top executives from major Indian defense firms—including giants like Adani Defence and Bharat Forge—traveled to Moscow. These talks focused on moving away from a simple “buyer and seller” relationship toward a model where the two nations build advanced weapons together on Indian soil.
New Insight into Ballistic Missiles
While India expands its drone arsenal, military analysts are also looking closely at other regional technologies. Recently, experts analyzed the remains of a Russian intermediate-range ballistic missile known as the “Oreshnik” (or “Kedr”).
Interestingly, the analysis found no evidence that this missile uses “MIRV” technology. MIRV technology allows a single missile to carry multiple warheads that can each be guided to a different target. According to specialized reports, the Oreshnik warheads do not appear to have the systems needed to adjust their flight paths independently after separation.
Conclusion
The acquisition of the Berkut-BM drones highlights India’s commitment to building a modern, layered defense system. By adding high-speed, jet-powered strike drones to its inventory, the Indian Army is better equipped for rapid, precision warfare. At the same time, the ongoing collaboration with Russian and Belarusian industries ensures that India remains a major player in the global defense landscape. As warfare becomes increasingly automated, these “kamikaze” drones will likely play a central role in protecting national security.
