The Indian armed forces are setting their sights on acquiring hundreds of indigenously developed Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones, marking a significant step towards self-reliance in this critical technology.
This move comes on the heels of successful induction of domestically developed and produced loitering munitions, demonstrating the growing capability of India's defence industry.
The armed forces have a substantial requirement for MALE drones to perform a variety of tasks, from intelligence gathering and surveillance to offensive operations. Currently, these systems are primarily imported from Israel, as previous efforts by state-owned research organizations to develop indigenous alternatives have not yielded a viable option.
To address this dependence on imports, the armed forces are planning to acquire MALE drones under the Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) route. This policy mandates that new weapon systems be fully manufactured in India, ensuring the development of domestic expertise and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
The overall requirement is estimated to be in the hundreds of drones, with a smaller number likely to be ordered in the initial phase. The acquisition process is expected to be a tri-services endeavor, with the drones procured to meet the specific needs of the army, navy, and air force.
Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), based in Nagpur, has emerged as a frontrunner in this initiative, having submitted a detailed proposal under the IDDM category to design and develop MALE drones. EEL has already initiated research work for the project and has established a dedicated 1.4 km runway and testing facility for long-range drones, the largest such facility in India's private sector.
The decision to prioritize the acquisition of indigenous MALE drones under the IDDM route reflects the growing confidence in the capabilities of the Indian private defence industry. This confidence stems from the successful and timely delivery of loitering munitions under the Emergency Procurement (EP) category, which was initiated to rapidly enhance capabilities along the border with China.
