This decision is not just about purchasing advanced hardware, it’s about shaping the future of Indian defence manufacturing and ensuring that critical security capabilities are built on home soil.

India’s New Eyes and Ears in the Sky

MALE drones are designed to operate at altitudes of around 10,000–30,000 feet for extended durations, making them ideal for long-endurance missions. In India’s case, these drones will perform three critical roles:

Persistent Surveillance: Keeping a constant watch over border areas, maritime zones, and sensitive installations.

Electronic Warfare: Disrupting enemy communication and radar systems when required.

Precision Strike: Engaging high-value targets with minimal collateral damage, even in contested environments.

For a country facing diverse security challenges, from high-altitude borders to vast coastlines these capabilities offer a decisive edge.

Why This Deal is a Game-Changer

1. Made in India, From the Ground Up

This programme mandates complete domestic manufacturing, covering:

Aero-structures for the drone body.

Engines designed, assembled, and tested in India.

Electro-optical and radar payloads for reconnaissance.

Satellite communication systems for beyond-line-of-sight control.

Navigation and communication subsystems tailored for military-grade resilience.

This ensures that not only will the drones be Indian-made, but also their critical components—reducing dependency on foreign suppliers and strengthening the nation’s supply chain security.

2. Two Companies, One Mission

The contract will be shared between the two lowest bidders (L1 and L2) in a 64:36 ratio. This approach ensures:

Dual production lines for faster delivery and scaling up in case of emergencies.

Healthy competition to drive quality, innovation, and cost-efficiency.

Export readiness so that Indian-made drones can also find markets abroad.

3. Strategic Autonomy and Security

Owning the capability to design, manufacture, and deploy MALE drones means India will no longer be dependent on foreign suppliers for critical ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and strike missions. This move is particularly significant given global supply chain disruptions and the tightening of export controls on advanced defence technology.

Who’s in the Race?

While the final bidders will be confirmed after the Expression of Interest (EOI) process, industry watchers expect heavyweights like Tata Advanced Systems, Adani Defence, HAL, and Solar Defence & Aerospace to be in contention—each bringing unique expertise in aerospace engineering, electronics, and systems integration.

A Step Towards Becoming a UAV Powerhouse

Globally, countries like the US, Israel, and China have built entire defence ecosystems around their indigenous UAV programmes. This deal signals that India intends to join that league—by building capability, creating skilled jobs, and opening pathways for exports to friendly nations in Asia, Africa, and beyond.

In short, India isn’t just buying drones. It’s investing in an ecosystem, one that can control the skies, protect the borders, and power the next generation of defence innovation.

As Defence Minister Rajnath Singh put it in previous policy statements, the aim is clear: “A strong, self-reliant India is the bedrock of national security.”

With this deal, that vision is one step closer to reality.