New Delhi: In a major push to strengthen border surveillance and enhance indigenous defence capabilities, India is fast-tracking the acquisition of 87 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones for its armed forces, defence sources said.
The project, valued at over ₹20,000 crore, will be executed under the Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured (IDDM) category, aiming to cut dependence on foreign suppliers. A formal proposal is expected to be tabled soon before a high-level Ministry of Defence meeting.
Leading Indian defence firms including Adani Defence, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), IdeaForge, and NewSpace Research are expected to compete for the contract.
The drones will feature advanced surveillance and combat capabilities, including real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, suited for operations in difficult terrain. Officials also confirmed plans to integrate indigenous missile systems with the drones.
The armed forces have finalized technical specifications following a comprehensive scientific study, reflecting increasing surveillance needs along India’s borders with Pakistan and China. Currently, India depends significantly on foreign suppliers such as the U.S. and Israel for its drone fleet.
