Pune-Based Quantum Tech FPV Strengthens Indian Army with Fiber-Optic FPV Drones & Joint Drone Facilities
Ayush
Overview – Fiber-Optic FPV Drone Breakthrough
On August 3, 2025, Pune-based Quantum Tech FPV formally handed over India’s first fiber-optic FPV drone to the Indian Army, a milestone in hardy, jamming-proof surveillance technology. The drone has a fibre‑optic tether with ultra‑low latency, high‑bandwidth data transfer resistant to electronic warfare interference—perfect for contested border zone. Small and transportable enough for infantry use at platoon and company levels, the system increases operational flexibility and frontline autonomy.
Indian Army has simultaneously designed indigenous FPV kamikaze drones with anti-tank payloads under partnership with DRDO’s TBRL, tested through trials in March 2025. The drones are equipped with a double-safety payload arming mechanism, fired by the pilot via a radio-controlled trigger to avoid accidental detonation. Manufactured in-house at the Rising Star Drone Battle School, more than 100 units had already been produced by March 2025, and five were inducted, with orders for 95 more systems already in the pipeline. Each kit is approximately ₹1.4 lakh (~USD 1,700). These battlefield drones are leveraging lessons of Ukraine warfare, providing cost-effective precision strike capability at platoon-level scale.
Strategic Benefits – Why This Matters
Electronic warfare resistance: Optic fiber control provides jamming immunity, essential in vulnerable areas such as the LoC and LAC, where the enemy will try to disrupt RF.
Embedded real-time ISR support: Real-time video relay through FPV goggles enhances battlefield perception, allowing for timely intelligence and precision operations at the unit.
Infantry tactical autonomy: This category of drone gives front-line troops autonomy without depending on centralized UAV infrastructure, changing tactical drone deployment practice
Compliance with Atmanirbhar Bharat: Complete indigenous development supports India’s defense self-reliance drive and indigenization of essential military hardware
Joint Drone Labs & Future Roadmap
Quantum Tech FPV has collaborated with Indian Army units to establish joint drone laboratories, for ongoing R&D towards eventual upgrades like longer spools of fiber, improved sensors, and stronger payload options. A bigger drone model with optical fiber range up to 10‑20 km is being developed, according to reports showing a desire to increase battlefield utility and operating range
Further Context – Drone Innovation Within Indian Defense
The FPV kamikaze system is part of a larger set of unmanned systems, comprising VTOL drones such as Rudrastra and integrated AI-command systems such as Akashteer that facilitate drone swarms and mid-flight reprogramming.
India’s larger quantum communication drive, like the DRDO and IIT‑Delhi demonstration of free-space QKD, places secure optical technology as a dual-use facilitator for future networks of drones.
