Learning from Europe’s FMLA: Can the HTT-40 Become India’s Counter-Drone Platform?

 

A HTT-40 armed for counter drone operations Image by @Grok

The European Commission (EC) has taken the lead in developing a manned light combat aircraft optimised for hunting drones. Called the Future Multirole Light Aircraft (FMLA), the concept aircraft is intended to be an affordable, versatile platform for a variety of missions.

The EC has reportedly allocated €15 million for the first phase of development under the European Defence Fund (EDF) programme for 2026.

Besides intercepting drones, the FMLA would be able to undertake close air support, reconnaissance, and target designation missions. In addition to combat missions, it would be capable of conducting border patrols and participating in search and rescue operations.

The FMLA is conceived as a turboprop aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of around 7.5 tonnes, capable of short take-offs and landings on shortened runways. It will feature lightweight composite materials to reduce radar signature and will be equipped with advanced radar, sensors, and other electronic equipment.

The aim is to develop a cost-effective aircraft with advanced technology and mission flexibility.

The Need for Specialised Counter-Drone Operations

Ukraine and Russia are both using light sport/trainer aircraft and combat helicopters for counter-drone operations.

Russia employs platforms such as the Mi-28N and Ka-52 attack helicopters, as well as light sport aircraft retrofitted with machine guns and man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), to patrol low-altitude airspace around critical infrastructure.

Ukraine similarly uses Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters, L-39 trainer jets equipped with gun pods, and even modified agricultural aircraft for night operations.

These platforms operate at low altitudes and slow speeds along likely drone ingress routes, particularly during nighttime raids. Pilots rely on visual detection using night-vision systems and tactical intelligence to identify and engage hostile drones.

Drones Fight Back

The use of manned combat helicopters and light aircraft in counter-drone operations has inevitably led to the development of drones capable of shooting down these manned threats.

Air-Combat-Capable Drones

Russian forces have recently (in the past month) deployed an interceptor variant of the Geran drone capable of launching R-60 air-to-air missiles. The Soviet-era short-range missile is mounted on a launcher on top of the drone. After launch, the heat-seeking missile can autonomously home in on its target.

The interceptor variant of the Geran drone operates as part of a swarm that includes other Geran drones configured for electronic warfare, photo reconnaissance, ELINT, communications relay, and decoy missions.

When launched from a fast-flying fighter aircraft, the R-60 has a range of 7–10 km. When launched from a slow-flying drone, its effective range would be significantly lower.

First Manned Aircraft Shootdown by a Drone

A Russian Geran-2 drone may have scored its first air-to-air kill recently, potentially creating aviation history. The supporting evidence, however, remains largely circumstantial.

A Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter from the 12th Separate Army Aviation Brigade was lost in combat on December 17, 2025.

The specific location or area of operation has not been publicly disclosed. However, in recent months, Ukrainian combat helicopters have not been operating near the front, making it unlikely that the loss resulted from a ground-launched missile.

In fact, Ukrainian combat helicopters have been largely repurposed for counter-drone operations, increasing the likelihood that the loss occurred during such a mission.

Official Ukrainian sources have acknowledged the downing as a combat loss. While it is possible that the helicopter was brought down by a Geran-2 drone—either by ramming or through the use of an air-to-air missile—other possibilities exist, including controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) while manoeuvring to engage a drone.

Geran-2 drone armed with Igla-S MANPAD

MANPADS Armed Drones

On January 4, 2026, a photograph of a Geran-2 drone armed with an Igla-S man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) appeared on social media.

Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces reported that Ukrainian forces had intercepted a Geran-2 drone armed with the MANPADS.

The drone is claimed to have crashed in the Chernihiv region.

R-60 vs Igla-S

Upgraded variants of the Geran-2 drone are capable of carrying a tandem warhead weighing about 100 kg. Geran-2 interceptor variants replace the warhead with an air-to-air missile and its launch system.

The Igla-S missile weighs approximately 10.8 kg; with its launch system, the total weight is around 18 kg. In contrast, the R-60 air-to-air missile has a launch weight of 44 kg, while the pylon and ejector mechanism used to launch it likely weighs an additional 20–40 kg. As such, it is highly likely that the switch to the Igla-S missile is intended to significantly lighten the load on the Geran-2 drone, allowing it to operate at longer ranges.

The Igla-S missile is tube-launched, unlike the R-60, which is launched using a pylon-ejector combination.

Like the R-60, the Igla-S features an infrared homing seeker, but it is resistant to countermeasures such as flares. The missile has a range of up to 6 km.

Geran-2 drone variants capable of carrying air-to-air missiles and MANPADS feature two cameras: a forward-facing camera positioned ahead of the missile and a rear-facing camera mounted behind it.

Need for More Agile Drone Hunters with Better Missile Countermeasures

The current evolutionary trajectory of one-way attack drones and loitering munitions points to a rapidly emerging need for manned platforms capable of quickly locating and engaging drones, while also being able to evade attacks by missile-armed drone interceptors.

India’s Options

At this point in time, based on current threat perceptions and limited resources, it may not be feasible for India to develop a specialised counter-drone platform. However, India should explore the possibility of modifying the HTT-40 trainer variant into a credible counter-drone platform. I have discussed this subject in an earlier analysis for The Eurasian Times.

Blinding the Hunters: Geran-2’s Latest Night-Fight Upgrade

Russia continues to improve its Geran-2 drones at a literally blinding pace. The latest upgrade is particularly blinding: a rear-facing IR LED “flashlight” designed to dazzle helicopter pilots hunting Shahed drones at night using night-vision goggles.

In September 2025, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reportedly stated during a press conference that Ukrainian helicopters shoot down up to 40% of the drones in their operational areas.

The rear-facing IR flashlight could also blind Ukrainian interceptor drones equipped with simple IR sensors for night interception.

Typically, interceptor drones use IR sensor guidance to ram into Geran-2 drones mid-air; some are equipped with small warheads. These interceptor drones cost between $2,000 and $3,000. After launch, they are initially cued onto their targets visually or based on radar tracks.

The rear-facing Geran IR flashlight would not be effective against interceptor drones equipped with high-quality thermal imagers. However, such drones would be significantly more expensive, adversely impacting the cost-benefit ratio.

Recent Geran-2 Upgrades

The following are some other recent upgrades to the Geran drone variants:

1. Russian forces have deployed an interceptor variant of the Geran drone capable of launching R-60 air-to-air missiles. The Soviet-era short-range missile is mounted on a launcher on top of the drone. After launch, the heat-seeking missile can autonomously home in on its target.

A Russian Geran-2 drone may have scored its first air-to-air kill, creating aviation history. A Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter from the 12th Separate Army Aviation Brigade was lost in combat on December 17, 2025. Circumstantial evidence points to the use of an air-to-air missile by a Geran drone. 

The interceptor variant of the Geran drone operates as part of a swarm that includes other Geran drones configured for electronic warfare, photo reconnaissance, ELINT, communication relay, and decoy missions.

When launched from a fast-flying fighter aircraft, the R-60 has a range of 7–10 km. When launched from a slow-flying drone, its range would be significantly less.

2. The drones are now reportedly equipped with Chinese-developed CRPA antennas housed inside their fuselage, making them more resilient to electronic warfare (EW). CRPA antennas—short for Controlled Reception Pattern Antennas—are advanced GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) antennas designed to resist jamming and spoofing.

3. They feature a much heavier warhead (approximately 90 kg) compared to kamikaze drones such as the Lancet (approximately 3 kg) or FPV drones (approximately 1–3 kg).

4. They fly at higher altitudes, remaining beyond the effective reach of MANPADS and air-defense guns.

5. They feature forward-looking electro-optical (EO) sensors and mesh-network communication links, enabling remote piloting and precision strikes against moving targets.

6. They are being mass-produced at scale, keeping costs under control despite these technological upgrades. According to preliminary estimates, monthly production of Geran-2 drones in Russia has reached a sustainable level of 6,500–7,500 units.

7. Ukrainian sources have reported that Geran-2 drones are now equipped with a self-destruct capability, a development that appears logical in view of the increasing sophistication of the drone. Russian forces need to protect the electronics and mechanical equipment on the drone to prevent Ukrainian forces from developing countermeasures.

8. In early January 2026, a photo of a Geran-2 drone armed with Igla/Verba MANPAD appeared on social media.

A First in Aerial Warfare? Assessing the Reported Geran Air-to-Air Kill

Photo Credit: Ukraine's Defence Intelligence Unit

A Russian Geran-2 drone may have scored its first air-to-air kill, creating aviation history. The supporting evidence, however, is largely circumstantial so far.

A Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter from the 12th Separate Army Aviation Brigade was lost in combat on December 17, 2025.

The specific location or area of operation has not been publicly disclosed. However, in recent months, Ukrainian combat helicopters have not been operating near the front, so the loss cannot be attributed to a ground-launched missile.

In fact, Ukrainian combat helicopters have been largely co-opted for counter-drone operations, making it more likely that the loss occurred during such operations.

Official Ukrainian sources admit the downing as a combat loss. While it is possible that the helicopter was brought down by a Geran-2 drone, either by ramming or through the use of an air-to-air missile, there are other possibilities too, including controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) while positioning for an attack on a drone.

All four crew members were killed in the incident.

The Making of a 'Hero of Ukraine'

The Mi-24 was piloted by the deputy commander of the brigade, a “Hero of Ukraine,” Lieutenant Colonel Shemet.

A native of the Chernihiv region, Colonel Shemet graduated from the Syzran Higher Military Aviation School. After serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a helicopter pilot, he retired before the start of the war.

He was recalled to duty following the start of the war and participated in the defence of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol between March and May 2022.

In an operation codenamed Air Corridor (also known as Air Breakthrough to Azovstal), Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopters flew daring resupply and evacuation missions amid the Russian siege of Mariupol.

In order to avoid detection by Russian radar and air defences, they flew a nap-of-the-earth (NOE) profile, sometimes as low as 20 ft above the ground or water, carrying critical supplies such as Stinger and Javelin missiles, ammunition, medicine, and Starlink satellite internet equipment to the besieged defenders. On their return to Ukrainian-held territory, they evacuated wounded soldiers.

Colonel Shemet was decorated with the “Hero of Ukraine” title for his participation in the operation.

Air-to-Air Combat Loss?

In early December, Ukrainian sources reported that Russian forces had operationally deployed upgraded Geran drones capable of launching R-60 air-to-air missiles. The Soviet-era short-range missile is mounted on a launcher on top of the drone. After launch, the heat-seeking missile can autonomously fly to its target.

The interceptor variant of the Geran drone operates as part of a swarm that includes other Geran drones configured for electronic warfare, photo reconnaissance, ELINT, communication relay, and decoy missions.

When launched from a fast-flying fighter aircraft, the R-60 has a range of 7–10 km. When launched from a slow-flying drone, its range would be significantly less.

For a successful engagement, the operator flying the drone remotely would need to establish visual contact with the target and maneuver the drone such that the missile’s seeker can obtain a lock onto the target.

According to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Russia has adapted the Soviet R-60 air-to-air missile for drone launch in order to shoot down Ukrainian helicopters and airplanes that intercept Russian drones. The drone is equipped with two cameras—one in the nose and one behind the launcher. The placement of the cameras is likely aimed at helping the drone operator align the drone accurately towards the target.

Broadband communication between the drone and its remote pilot is facilitated through a mesh network, with several other Geran drones operating as communication relays.

Using the video streams relayed through the broadband communication link, the remote pilot can acquire the target using the stream from the front camera, align the drone with the target using video streams from the front and rear cameras, and launch the missile when in range.

The interceptor drone additionally features SATNAV (satellite navigation) hardened against electronic warfare, with a 12-channel jammer-proof Kometa module.

Following launch, the missile independently captures the target using its thermal seeker and autonomously steers itself towards it.

There is also a variant with preliminary target acquisition by the warhead and confirmation by the operator before launch.

The Geran drones armed with R-60 air-to-air missiles are primarily deployed to disrupt the use of combat helicopters and trainer aircraft for counter-drone operations.

It is likely that Ukrainian helicopters and trainer aircraft engaged in counter-drone warfare are already being equipped with defensive suites comprising sensors to detect missile threats and countermeasures such as heat flares.

Conclusion

While the exact reason for the combat loss of the Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter is not known, it is clearly linked to the rapid evolution of drone warfare and the consequent need for counter-drone operations. Both are set to be part of any future warfare. Notably, both represent affordable forms of warfare that would be attractive to nations or groups with limited resources.

From India’s point of view, drone and counter-drone warfare represent technologies that can be handled exclusively by the private sector. Developing a Geran-type drone family, including a drone capable of launching a heat-seeking air-to-air missile, is a task that could well be executed by TASL or L&T. The same applies to interceptor drones.

Russia’s evolutionary development of drone technology is worth taking note of. More than technology alone, time and evolutionary iterations are critical to the development of an effective weapon system.