ZOLT

ZOLT is a vertical take-off and landing tactical uncrewed aircraft developed by ideaForge of India, unveiled at Aero India 2025 and ordered by the Indian Army in November 2025 for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Overview

ideaForge first showed ZOLT as a tactical hybrid UAV concept at Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru in February 2025, alongside the NETRA 5 and SWITCH V2. The company positions ZOLT as a VTOL platform for ISR work in GPS-denied and electronic-warfare environments, requiring no runway or launch rail.

The Indian Army selected ZOLT after what ideaForge described as extensive field trials in electronic-warfare environments, awarding the company a contract worth INR750 million (about USD8.5 million), announced 17 November 2025, alongside a separate INR300 million order for the Switch V2. ideaForge said at the time that it intended to complete ZOLT deliveries within a year.

In October 2026, ideaForge launched two further ZOLT variants: ZOLT Hybrid, which combines an internal combustion engine with battery power for extended endurance, and ZOLT UCAV, a battery-powered variant positioned for combat missions.

Design and capabilities

ideaForge states the baseline ZOLT has an operational range of up to 50 km, a secure data downlink of up to 80 km, a payload capacity of 10 kg, an endurance of about three hours (180 minutes), and a maximum operating altitude of 3,500 m AMSL. The company says ZOLT is designed to operate in GPS-denied environments and can carry electro-optic/infrared, signals-intelligence, communications-intelligence, laser-rangefinder, laser-designator or tactical-resupply payloads depending on the mission.

Variants

ZOLT Hybrid, launched 6 October 2026, pairs an internal combustion engine with battery power to extend endurance to more than six hours and line-of-sight range to up to 100 km, with a maximum operating altitude of 4,000 m AMSL; ideaForge has said a high-altitude version is planned. ZOLT UCAV, launched the same day, is a battery-powered variant the company positions for combat missions rather than ISR.

Operational history

The Indian Army is ZOLT's publicly confirmed operator, having selected the platform after electronic-warfare field trials and ordered it under the contract announced in November 2025.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ideaForge ZOLT?

ZOLT is a VTOL tactical UAV built by ideaForge of India for ISR missions, unveiled at Aero India 2025.

What is the range of the ZOLT?

ideaForge states an operational range of up to 50 km, with a secure data downlink of up to 80 km.

How long can the ZOLT fly?

ideaForge rates the baseline ZOLT's endurance at about three hours (180 minutes); the ZOLT Hybrid variant extends this to more than six hours.

Who operates the ZOLT?

The Indian Army selected ZOLT after electronic-warfare field trials and ordered it under a contract announced in November 2025.

What is the difference between ZOLT, ZOLT Hybrid and ZOLT UCAV?

ZOLT is the battery-powered baseline ISR platform; ZOLT Hybrid adds an internal combustion engine for longer endurance and altitude; ZOLT UCAV is a battery-powered variant positioned for combat missions.