CRPF seeks 15km range kamikaze drones amid rising militant threats in Manipur

New Delhi: The use of drones by armed groups in Manipur has added a new challenge for security forces operating in the state. The Central Reserve Police Force is planning to acquire kamikaze drones, which can search for targets from the air before crashing into them with explosives.

These weapons are known as loitering munitions. Unlike ordinary surveillance drones, which monitor activity and collect information, they can also carry explosives and strike selected targets. An operator can direct them towards a target after identifying it.

CRPF circulated a document on Monday seeking information from manufacturers about these systems, the Hindustan Times reported. Vendors have been asked to submit details by November 25.

The force wants drones capable of carrying two high-explosive warheads weighing at least 1.5 kilograms. The systems must have a minimum range of 15 kilometres and remain airborne for at least 30 minutes while carrying the payload. The specified killing or impact radius is 10 metres.

Militant groups in Manipur have been using drones against security personnel while taking advantage of the state’s hilly terrain. They have also deployed locally made rocket launchers with ranges of 10–15 kilometres from forested areas.

The CRPF has also shifted two battalions of its elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) to Manipur. This is the first time the specialized unit has been deployed in the state. Raised in 2008, CoBRA commandos are trained in guerrilla warfare, intelligence gathering and jungle operations.

The battalions were previously involved in anti-Maoist operations. Their deployment in Manipur followed the Centre’s March 31 declaration that India was free of Maoist insurgency after senior Maoist leaders surrendered, were arrested or were killed.

CoBRA personnel have participated in several major security operations in Manipur over the past six months. These include arms recoveries, arrests of insurgents and an operation to take over the Sinai militant camp last month. People familiar with the deployment told the Hindustan Times that the unit had delivered positive results.

Manipur has requested two additional CoBRA battalions, each comprising around 1,000 personnel. An official said a third battalion was expected to reach the state soon. The ethnic conflict in Manipur has claimed around 370 lives and displaced 66,000 people since 2023. The CRPF is also deployed in Jammu & Kashmir, where insurgency has declined significantly. The deployment of specialized CoBRA units in the region is being considered for the coming years, while regular central armed police forces personnel will continue serving in areas previously affected by left-wing extremism.