Indian Army Seeks Rapid Acquisition of Indigenous Long-Endurance MALE Drones for Himalayan Operations Amidst Growing Chinese Threat

Facing increasing tensions along the Sino-Indian border, the Indian Army is urgently seeking to modernize its surveillance capabilities with new, high-performance, domestically-produced drones.

The Army has issued a strong call to action to both India's public and private defense sectors to rapidly develop and deliver advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) capable of operating in the challenging Himalayan environment.

The Army's existing fleet of UAVs, primarily consisting of Israeli-made Heron Mark-I, Mark-II, and Searcher-II models, has been crucial for reconnaissance and surveillance along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Reports state the Army has around 50 of this type of drones.

However, these systems are showing their age, and continuous operational demands have stressed their capabilities. While the recent addition of four satellite-communication-equipped Heron Mark-II drones will improve surveillance, a broader upgrade is deemed critical. The need for modernization is particularly acute as the older Searcher-II UAVs approach the end of their operational life.

The Army has specified rigorous requirements for their replacements: Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAVs that can operate at a minimum altitude of 30,000 feet and remain airborne for over 24 hours.

These capabilities are essential for effective, sustained operations in the high-altitude, long-range missions characteristic of the Himalayan region. The improved operational ceiling will allow the drones to operate above most weather systems, improving reliability.

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), has been working on indigenous solutions, including the Archer NG and Tapas BH-201. However, both projects have encountered developmental challenges.

The Tapas BH-201, after years of development, has not yet met the Army's stringent altitude and endurance needs, resulting in its temporary suspension as a priority project. The Archer NG, an armed drone, shows potential but is not yet ready for deployment.

Acknowledging the pressing need and the developmental timelines of public sector projects, the Army is actively encouraging private sector participation. Companies are being urged to either create entirely indigenous MALE UAVs or partner with international defense firms to fulfill the immediate requirements.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

For any nation to become atmanirbhar, the people must change their attitude. Until and unless the people do their job, we will always play catch-up and keep on importing. Unions are one of the worst obstacles when a government has to take stern actions, like sacking money-sucking white elephants.

 

[Superpower Bharat]

After dumping Tapas, now they are crying... 28,000 feet with 18-20 hrs fly time with all payloads is a very good figure compared to other MALE UAVs... No piston engine UAV can give more than that...

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Start with inducting limited number of Tapas.

 

[Satish]

DRDO has Tapas. First, induct it. Let it refine slowly. Bilkul bhi allow nahi karoge for trials, refinement, positive and negative aspects, then things don't work that way. Then, some buffoons cry in the comment section that this government does nothing. Abe, jo hai usko defence forces committed to ho, then things can go in an incremental phase.

 

[Tls Mani]

Use tapas in Pak border, Bangla border, Naxalite areas & keep going. Refinement comes with use & feedback.

 

[VF VF1]

Use tapas in Pak border, Bangla border, Naxalite areas & keep going. Refinement comes with use & feedback.

Perfect. Tapas can cover full Punjab and Jammu, Rajasthan, Gujrat-Kuchh, and full swathes of sea by Navy. Only MQ9 is needed for Kargil heights and Ladakh region, and Arunachal-Sikkim. Defence forces are playing games with artificial demand for foreign toys. They are the real enemies of indigenisation.

 

[Leo red]

Tapas is garbage; it can be jammed and captured by enemies, just a piece of cake. It's even useless, as it needs a runway. Also, its camera and instruments are pathetic, sub-standard. Whereas most attack drones are launched from short mechanisms, and long-range surveillance drones can be launched from runways. Instead, ask Russia for help.

 

[Sandeep]

The only promising indigenous drone programs is the UCAV Archer NG and the stealth UCAV Swift and Ghatak. So far they are manufacturing the Archer NG and it’s using a lot of the technology and equipment that was developed for the Tapas drones which will cut down development time. We should complete all of the tests and trials within a year and then production should start by a private company only and not HAL which is swamped with many jets, trainers, drone, helicopters etc that it has to produce.

 

[Andy S]

Pvt sector will not fund the development of MALE UAVs, as there is no guarantee that the army will buy from them. They don't have unlimited funds to stomach trials which span decades. The govt can fund them for specific product development. World over, govts handhold these types of development with vendors. In India, this will open a Pandora's box, as opposition parties accusing the govt. can lead to policy paralysis.

 

[Arz786]

Tapas is garbage; it can be jammed and captured by enemies, just a piece of cake. It's even useless, as it needs a runway. Also, its camera and instruments are pathetic, sub-standard. Whereas most attack drones are launched from short mechanisms, and long-range surveillance drones can be launched from runways. Instead, ask Russia for help.

Tapas is a surveillance drone. It is unarmed and is not expected to get into contested airspace. That is what MALE UAV is supposed to do.