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The Southern Command of the Indian Army has developed the SOM, a long-range fixed-wing surveillance drone designed for enhanced ISR capabilities. Developed by the 21 Corps Zonal Workshop in Bhopal, the drone has an operational range of 30 km and can operate at altitudes up to 2,000 meters.

It features a 120-minute endurance and can record 4K video. The SOM can adapt to various mission complexities with autonomous, tele-operated, and manual modes. It includes advanced navigation systems and withstands a temperature range of -10°C to +50°C.

The drone's development emphasizes cost-effective indigenous solutions under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, with a unit cost of Rs 15.75 lakh. Trial runs confirmed its capabilities, positioning it as a vital tool for future battlefield operations.