Kanpur-based Lohia Aerospace Systems has emerged as India’s first manufacturer of aerostructures – including wings and fuselage – for loitering munitions, which are in high demand globally following the seminal role played by such weaponized drones in the ongoing Ukraine War and recent conflicts in Armenia-Azerbaijan, West Asia and Africa.
The company will supply aerostructures and launch tubes for a range of loitering munitions – also known as suicide drones – with cross-sections ranging from 90 cm to 3 metres and more following the demand surge.
Market estimates put the value of such aerostructures between $5,000 to $10,000 per unit. Lohia Aerospace is said to have already hit a turnover of about Rs 100 Crore ($13 Million) in this segment alone.
Market sources also suggest that Lohia Aerospace could be addressing loitering munitions aerostructure requirements for multiple Israeli OEMs such as IAI, Elbit and Uvision.
The Kanpur company entered the aerospace composite business by acquiring the Israeli entity Light & Strong in 2019, and is known to provide aerostructure sections for UAVs/drones made by leading Israeli OEMs like IAI, Blue Bird and Uvision, leveraging Light & Strong’s client base and technological capability. Israel is a lead player in the drone category in the Indian market. The Indian armed forces operate fleets of Searcher and Heron drones and Harop and Harpy loitering munitions.
While networking with global supply chains, Lohia is also poised to deliver aerostructures for drones the Indian armed forces may buy or refurbish in the near future.
