The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) is progressing rapidly in developing the Swarm Loitering Munition Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SLMUAV), a cutting-edge modular, network-enabled system designed to transform aerial warfare. The SLMUAV integrates intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) with precision strike capabilities, optimized for contested and GPS-denied environments. Featuring vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and autonomous swarm coordination, the UAVs can loiter over target zones for extended periods, dynamically engaging high-value targets through collaborative, decentralized decision-making. This system reduces reliance on costly cruise missiles and manned platforms while enhancing battlefield situational awareness and rapid response. The program aims to establish an indigenous technological base for swarm-based loitering munitions, reinforcing India’s strategic autonomy in unmanned combat systems. Key milestones include prototype validations of autonomous VTOL, formation flying, and networked targeting, marking a transformative leap in India’s aerial combat capabilities as of November 2025. This advancement holds significant implications for enhancing India’s tactical flexibility in high-intensity conflict scenarios.