India buys Belarus-made Berkut-BM attack drones

India has reportedly acquired dozens of Belarus-made Berkut-BM one-way attack drones, according to defense industry sources.

The Berkut-BM is a jet-powered kamikaze drone developed by the Indela company in Belarus and designed to strike time-sensitive battlefield targets before they can relocate. The system is powered by compact Chinese-made micro turbojet engines produced by Swiwin, giving the drone high dash speed and short engagement timelines that reduce the window for interception.

Technical data associated with the platform shows the Berkut-BM can reach speeds of up to 410 kilometers per hour, with an operational range of approximately 150 kilometers depending on mission profile and altitude. The drone is optimized for rapid ingress, terminal dive, and precision impact against fixed or relocatable targets.

The drone carries a 10-kilogram high-explosive fragmentation warhead intended for use against radar installations, missile batteries, artillery positions, and logistics nodes. Its strike profile is tailored for missions where targets must be destroyed quickly, before dispersal or movement, according to available system descriptions.

The Berkut-BM is launched by catapult, allowing deployment from forward areas without the need for runways or permanent infrastructure. This enables mobile and concealed launch operations, providing field commanders flexibility in positioning launch sites closer to the line of contact.

Belarus has previously exported the Berkut-BM to several countries and armed groups, including Russia, Venezuela, Algeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces militia, according to open-source defense trade data.

The system has been marketed as a low-cost alternative to cruise missiles for targeting high-value assets.

The reported Indian acquisition comes as loitering munitions and one-way attack drones continue to reshape battlefield operations, particularly in conflicts where air defense systems are under constant pressure from saturation attacks. Jet-powered drones represent a subset of this category, trading endurance for speed and reduced reaction time for defenders.

India has steadily expanded its unmanned strike portfolio in recent years, integrating both domestic and foreign systems into its armed forces. The reported purchase of Berkut-BM drones would place a jet-powered loitering munition alongside India’s existing inventory of propeller-driven systems and precision-guided weapons.