India to Fast-Track ₹20,000 Crore MALE Drone Project for Defence Forces

India is moving rapidly to advance its defence capabilities with a major procurement plan for 87 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones, valued at approximately ₹20,000 crore. These advanced drones are intended to enhance surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence-gathering capabilities along India’s land and maritime borders, providing the armed forces with extended real-time monitoring and reducing dependence on foreign technology.

The project falls under the Make in India initiative, with more than 60% of the components to be sourced domestically. This ensures not only the growth of the Indian defence manufacturing sector but also improved self-reliance in critical military technologies. The proposal is part of a tri-service plan, involving the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, with the Indian Air Force taking the lead in execution. The final proposal is expected to be reviewed at an upcoming high-level meeting of the Ministry of Defence.

Several prominent Indian defence manufacturers are anticipated to take part in the production process, including Adani Defence, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), IdeaForge, NewSpace Research, Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, Raphe mPhibr, Tata Advanced Systems, and Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Their combined expertise is expected to significantly boost the country’s capability to produce world-class drone systems.

The planned MALE drones will be capable of operating at altitudes above 35,000 feet and maintaining flight for over 30 hours, making them ideal for persistent surveillance missions. A scientific study conducted by the Integrated Defence Staff concluded that 87 drones would be sufficient to cover all critical operational areas, including the sensitive borders with Pakistan and China, as well as strategic maritime zones in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

While the focus is on indigenous production, the plan still includes the acquisition of 32 MQ-9B Predator drones from the United States under a foreign military sales agreement. This will help bridge the gap in capability until Indian-built systems are fully operational.

The ultimate objective of this programme is to establish a strong domestic drone manufacturing ecosystem in India, enabling local industries to design and develop sophisticated defence systems independently. This aligns with the government’s vision of a technologically advanced, self-reliant military force capable of meeting modern warfare demands.

Once deployed, these drones are expected to provide a game-changing boost to India’s surveillance network, ensuring faster response times, better situational awareness, and enhanced security across both land and sea.