In what is easily the most significant deal between the Indian military and a local startup company, the Indian Navy has selected Bengaluru-based startup NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT) to develop its Naval Collaborative Combat Air Vehicle (N-CCAV), an unmanned aircraft that will operate collaboratively with the navy’s MiG-29K and future Rafale-M fighter aircraft.
The N-CCAV is to be based on NRT’s Abhimanyu collaborative combat aircraft/loyal wingman concept. The contract includes a minimum purchase quantity (MPQ) for a specified number of systems that the Indian Navy has committed to procuring once the platform is ready. Development of the Abhimanyu lightweight jet-powered N-CCAV has begun at NRT.
Livefist can confirm that NRT was chosen by the Indian Navy under the Indian MoD’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), a scheme launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018 aimed at harnessing leading edge private sector R&D to deliver focused advanced technologies to the Indian military. NRT was chosen from a group of Indian private sector contenders.
Render of Abhimanyu by NewSpace | Edits by Livefist
The Abhimanyu, a low-RCS (radar cross section) design, is expected to be a smaller and lighter platform compared to HAL’s Warrior, with a mandate to deliver manned-unmanned teaming missions with the Indian Navy’s combat aircraft. The two separate CCA developments will consolidate in the future, with Warrior for the IAF and Abhimanyu for the Indian Navy. It must be said, however, that while the Abhimanyu has the Indian Navy’s backing in the form of the contract that will be announced on Feb 10, the IAF is yet to throw its full weight behind HAL’s CATS Warrior.
The Indian military’s selection of these uncrewed platforms is comparable to the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program that envisions a similar drone wingman. In April 2024, the USAF chose General Atomics and Anduril Industries to present their contending platforms for a final selection to be made by 2026.
The NRT Abhimanyu is being designed with modular architecture, making it adaptable for multiple roles, including surveillance, electronic warfare, and strike missions. Documents reviewed by Livefist suggest that NRT is developing the N-CCAV to be both cost-effective and expendable, with an emphasis on rapid production. This approach would enable the Indian Navy—and potentially other operators—to deploy the system in large numbers, complementing both current and future fighter fleets.
Render of Abhimanyu by NewSpace | Edits by Livefist
Project literature also highlights that these interconnected platforms can function as sensors, effectors, and command-and-control nodes, facilitating agile decision-making within a flexible, scalable operational framework. This structure is intended to seamlessly integrate emerging platforms, technologies, and operational concepts in the future.
“Unmanned wingmen and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) are not intended to replace manned fighter jets but to serve as strategic force multipliers. These systems can help the Indian Air Force and Navy address squadron shortages, modernize operations cost-effectively, and strengthen defenses against peer adversaries like China.”
said an officer familiar with the agreement, emphasising that prioritising indigenous programs such as Warrior and Abhimanyu would drive AI innovation, enhance air combat capabilities, and enable India to close its capability gap while establishing itself as a leader in autonomous military technology.
The Abhimanyu’s continuous chine-line is visible in this view of the model on display at Aero India 2025 -Angad Singh
A half-scale replica of the Abhimanyu N-CCAV is on display at Aero India 2025, where the Indian Navy and NewSpace are expected to announce the deal.
Top Photo: Angad Singh – The War Zone
Source: Livefist