Indian Armed Forces Likely to Exclude TAPAS-BH-201 from 97 MALE Drone Order Amid Failed Altitude and Endurance Benchmarks

The Indian Armed Forces are reportedly moving toward excluding the indigenous TAPAS-BH-201 from a major procurement plan for 97 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Despite years of development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the platform has struggled to meet the stringent operational requirements set by the military, signaling a shift in focus toward more advanced domestic and international alternatives.

Performance Gaps and Operational Realities​

The TAPAS-BH-201, developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), was designed to provide India with a home-grown solution for long-range surveillance.

However, flight testing revealed that the platform could not consistently hit its target benchmarks.

While the armed forces required a service ceiling of 30,000 feet and an endurance of 24 hours, the TAPAS prototype reportedly reached only 28,000 feet with an airborne limit of approximately 18 hours.

Because of these shortfalls, military leadership now views TAPAS primarily as a "technology demonstrator"—a stepping stone for research—rather than a combat-ready system fit for active deployment.

Transition to Archer-NG​

The technical expertise gained from the TAPAS project is not being abandoned. Instead, the core technologies—including autonomous flight software, ground control stations, and sensor suites—are being integrated into the next-generation Archer-NG (Next Generation) program.

The Archer-NG features a Single Engine Twin Boom (SETB) configuration. This specific design is preferred for modern UAVs because it provides:

• Structural Efficiency: A lighter, stronger frame for long-distance flight.
• Stability: Improved flight characteristics during sensitive reconnaissance missions.
• Payload Integration: Better placement for high-resolution cameras and electronic warfare equipment.

Competitive Landscape for the 97-Drone Tender​

India’s plan to acquire 97 MALE-class drones represents one of the world's largest unmanned aviation contracts.

Approximately 24 companies, both domestic and international, have expressed interest. This massive procurement aims to bolster the surveillance capabilities of the Army, Navy, and Air Force simultaneously.

While there was initial hope that the Indian Navy might adopt TAPAS for maritime patrol due to its ability to use shorter runways in island territories, the Navy has reportedly declined.

Current naval interests have shifted toward the Hermes 900, a proven platform being manufactured in India through a partnership with Adani Defence & Aerospace.

Technological Legacy and Indigenous Powerplants​

Despite the TAPAS-BH-201's likely exclusion from the frontline, the program has successfully catalysed the domestic defence ecosystem.

A significant spin-off includes the development of a home-grown 2.2-litre turbocharged engine intended to replace foreign powerplants.

This engine is a collaborative effort between the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) and Jayem Automotives.

Open-source data suggests that India is also fast-tracking the acquisition of MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian drones from the United States to fill immediate high-altitude gaps, while the Archer-NG is groomed to fulfill long-term sovereign requirements.

 

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[Ammoman]

India should dial up Iran and ask them for help on building a long endurance drone. After a decade, we have nothing.

Use the private sector. They have the talent and motivation to succeed.

 

[ronin-desi]

DRDO: 5000 engineers + 25,000 supporting staff cost U$3billion a year
2014 -> 2026: U$3billion x 12 = U$36Billion dollars spent and any noteworthy weapon that i beat about, my chest?
Meanwhile foot soldier wears Pataka Helmat (metal sheet wrapped in fabric)
failed nation like Iran exporting battleworthy drones to whole world, Turkey which is of size of kerala exports drones to everyone.
Far out, DRDO management dont care, Min of defense dont care, Def force general dont care and rot continues.
only and only one IAF chief commented while pulling punches about HAL disarray and incompetency. otherwise none in last 78 years!
Mar 2026 Bharat on journey to sit on World's largest 3 economy from 4th spot.
but Crown of largest weapon importer (Ukraine was short and once off event) would stay on our head!!

 

[ronin-desi]

India should dial up Iran and ask them for help on building a long endurance drone. After a decade, we have nothing.

Use the private sector. They have the talent and motivation to succeed.

Min of Defence Bharat says YESSS!!

transfer of technology to dumber of dumbest, mediocre, incompetents at HAL+DRDO+ADA+DeptAtomicEnergy+OrdFactories mil-industrial complex.
Proudly sucking nation from inside out since 1947s.

 

[Ammoman]

DRDO: 5000 engineers + 25,000 supporting staff cost U$3billion a year
2014 -> 2026: U$3billion x 12 = U$36Billion dollars spent and any noteworthy weapon that i beat about, my chest?
Meanwhile foot soldier wears Pataka Helmat (metal sheet wrapped in fabric)
failed nation like Iran exporting battleworthy drones to whole world, Turkey which is of size of kerala exports drones to everyone.
Far out, DRDO management dont care, Min of defense dont care, Def force general dont care and rot continues.
only and only one IAF chief commented while pulling punches about HAL disarray and incompetency. otherwise none in last 78 years!
Mar 2026 Bharat on journey to sit on World's largest 3 economy from 4th spot.
but Crown of largest weapon importer (Ukraine was short and once off event) would stay on our head!!

Lots of blame to go around but don't blame the defense force. They are the ones flying shit. They are told to lower their standards. They see their brothers die because of faulty equipment.

India has a vibrant private sector. Pick 2 companies and fund them. The one with the best product gets the contract.

 

[ronin-desi]

Lots of blame to go around but don't blame the defense force. They are the ones flying shit. They are told to lower their standards. The see their brothers die because of faulty equipment.

India has a vibrant private sector. Pick 2 companies and fund them. The one with the best product gets the contract.

They are at receiving end, i agree but last foot soldier or pilots! not the Generals and their families.
they let ministry of defence and PSUs play the delay game.
once water above the nose, Def forces drop penny and Voila, Order is given to buy from froeign vendors bypassing Indian private sector.
If generals start speaking about poor PSUs output and incompetency momentum can be built to outosurce to Indian Private sector.

Def forces to throw open DARPA style challenge to private sector and universities about Drones, Loitering ammunition, or anti drone systems etc.
General cannot distance from responsibilities, Pataka helmat and Insas rifle?? if i am in their shoes, wont allow my single soldier to risk their life because of these incompetent, lazy, mediorcre jokers at HAL or ADA or DRDO or Ord Factories.

There is no shortage of money and engineers in India but Corruption is doing all and these top generals allowing it so they are complicit in it.

 

[ronin-desi]

They are playing this Drones games since 2009 for equipment named AURA.
Keep changing names, testing, and Mar 2026 Bharat is out for shopping to General atomics or Israel.
Loitering munitions to Poland, as deal done few weeks ago only in Feb 2026.

IAF Chief can see this fiasco but they turn blind eye and let this play in their forecourt.
They are duty bound to rebuke and call spade a spade. But everyone have kids for oversears scholarships, US or England VISA 🙂 everyone have fingers in cookie jar!!

I am only mechanical engineer not a aviation expert but from day one i saw TAPAS testing video, i commented it as joke but audience jumped on me to ridicule as they were high on nationalism coolade.
Whole nation is being clowned by these jokers at PSUs and Min of defence and Def Chiefs.

 

[Ammoman]

They are at receiving end, i agree but last foot soldier or pilots! not the Generals and their families.
they let ministry of defence and PSUs play the delay game.
once water above the nose, Def forces drop penny and Voila, Order is given to buy from froeign vendors bypassing Indian private sector.
If generals start speaking about poor PSUs output and incompetency momentum can be built to outosurce to Indian Private sector.

Def forces to throw open DARPA style challenge to private sector and universities about Drones, Loitering ammunition, or anti drone systems etc.
General cannot distance from responsibilities, Pataka helmat and Insas rifle?? if i am in their shoes, wont allow my single soldier to risk their life because of these incompetent, lazy, mediorcre jokers at HAL or ADA or DRDO or Ord Factories.

There is no shortage of money and engineers in India but Corruption is doing all and these top generals allowing it so they are complicit in it.

The IAF chief called out HAL and the establishment. Unfortunately, they also worry that they will be black balled. They live on a pension when they retire. End of the day, they go along to protect their family.

 

[ronin-desi]

The IAF chief called out HAL and the establishment. Unfortunately, they also worry that they will be black balled. They live on a pension when they retire. End of the day, they go along to protect their family.

Agree on that when U$70 billion gravvy train on its way, one odd person would be jumped on by rest of the beneficiaries.
I am thoroughly disappointed by PM Modi on this def-industrial PSU saga!!
Bharat 2026 not able to design 100% its own Rifle, Tank Engine, Turbo-Fan Engine, Semi-cryo engine list is long but its shameful for nation!

 

[ronin-desi]

Another issue is project runs 10-40 years (like Kaveri engine or LCA ).
So many govt regime changes, IAS officials retires, engineers retires too so no project ownership and head-rolling as punishment required for good project delivery.
Political oversight is poor on Tech industry, bureacracy is not very updated too.
Def forces as main stakeholder being end-user not given any handle on these projects until end
when they arm-twisted to accept half baked poor products like INSAS rifle, Pataka helmat, Arjun tank, Helicopters or LCA.
its all MNREGA employment, do work or not get paid and be happy thanks to Tax payers!!

These projects doesnt fail on the end during final delivery but from very begining. Who signed it along its major milestones phases, grill them for their poor oversight and corruption to defraud nation and causing national security issue!

 

[Ammoman]

Another issue is project runs 10-40 years (like Kaveri engine or LCA ).
So many govt changes, IAS officials retires, engineers retires too so no project ownership and head-rolling as punishment required for good project delivery.
its all MNREGA employment, do work or not get paid and be happy thanks to Tax payers!!

These projects doesn't fail on the end during final delivery but from very beginning. Who signed it along its major milestones phases, grill them for their poor oversight and corruption to defraud nation and causing national security issue!

India is no longer a socialist country. Let the private sector fight for contracts. They are used to performing and taking risk. . Time lines are kept or exceeded. The entire world uses private enterprise, why can't India.

SOE's employees win the day they get hired. You can't fire them. They have no motivation to perform. You can't get the dead wood out, people are promoted because of seniority not performance. India, lets get into the 21st century!!!!

 

[Spitfire9]

India is no longer a socialist country. Let the private sector fight for contracts. They are used to performing and taking risk. . Time lines are kept or exceeded. The entire world uses private enterprise, why can't India.

SOE's employees win the day they get hired. You can't fire them. They have no motivation to perform. You can't get the dead wood out, people are promoted because of seniority not performance.

A good way to not get results and a proven success in not getting results.

 

[Vivek_Singh]

Why don't just shut the DRDO, HAL, BEL, BDL etc.
The useless, incompetent engineers are good for nothing. Atleast that will save us some money in form of salaries which we can use to "import" weapons.
I tried to keep my cool, but the way our defence PSU's behave like a privileged child. In really tough to maintain hope and belief.

 

[ronin-desi]

This termite conglomerate comprised of HAL+ISRO+ADA+DRDO+DeptAtomicEnergey+GardenShipping+OrdnanceFactories
employing about 120,000-150,00 employees and cost about U$12-15Billion every year!!
ISRO under PMO so got more overshigt and perks with priviliges so they tend do ok on comparion but still bang for money is poor outcome when measured on international standards.

Same mediocre, incompetent and unprofessional mindset across the board among these different organisations. Money is not problem as its lot U$15 billion yearly is insane money.
But just measure 2014-2026 BJP rule, 12 years x 15 = U$180 billions spent!
what are the list of weapons??

Sindor Ops had 80-90% weapons of foriegn origin.
Ditto in Pahalgham or Kargil, no material change.
ISRO is still launching same PSLVs and minion GSLV for less than 5 ton while world moved to semi-cryo-engines and resusable launch!

its systemic rot and loot with corruption not specific to DRDO or HAL or ADA or ISRO!

 

[Spitfire9]

These projects doesnt fail on the end during final delivery but from very begining. Who signed it along its major milestones phases, grill them for their poor oversight and corruption to defraud nation and causing national security issue!

Need to change things radically then. Is India culturally capable of such a thing? It sounds like everyone is milking the system and does not want that to stop since it would affect them adversely.