Tata Advanced Systems Seeks MoD Approval for High-Altitude Long-Endurance UAV Development, Potentially Challenging DRDO Dominance

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has requested permission from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to begin development of a High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for the Indian military.

This move, if greenlit, would mark the first instance of an Indian private sector company undertaking a project in a field traditionally controlled by the government's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), specifically its Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).

Instead of adapting an existing manned aircraft, as previously considered with the Grob G 180, TASL now plans to design and build a completely new, unmanned HALE UAV.

To expedite the development process, the company plans to utilize readily available technologies from both Indian and international suppliers, according to sources familiar with the matter.

This initiative aligns with a growing trend within the MoD of encouraging private sector participation in the UAV sector. Recently, Economic Explosives Limited, a subsidiary of the Solar Group of Industries, received authorization to develop Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAVs for the Indian Armed Forces, demonstrating the MoD's shift.

The DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) has experienced ongoing difficulties and setbacks in producing domestically-made MALE UAVs. This has prompted the MoD to consider private sector involvement in this strategically important area. TASL's proposal is in line with the Indian government's wider objective of utilizing private sector capabilities to enhance and modernize the nation's defense technology.

HALE UAVs are critical for persistent surveillance and reconnaissance, offering significant advantages over lower-altitude platforms. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), HALE UAVs typically operate at altitudes above 40,000 feet and can stay airborne for extended periods, often exceeding 24 hours.

While TASL's proposal represents a potential turning point in India's UAV development landscape, the MoD's final decision remains pending. A TASL representative confirmed the company's keen interest in broadening its UAV offerings, emphasizing its dedication to advancing technology in this crucial field.

Should TASL receive approval, its entry into HALE UAV development could establish a significant precedent, paving the way for increased private sector participation in India's defense sector. This would likely lead to increased competition, foster innovation, and potentially accelerate the deployment of advanced UAV systems to the Indian Armed Forces.

 

[beencensured]

Well, if we open the country to a competitive environment, let the best design win. In America, companies get funds to build a prototype, which they then put in a competition of selection where the best design wins. Funds can be a type of loan from the market.

 

[Rinne Tensei]

It will be a Grob G180. They'll redesign the body to suit military applications and put in digital controls instead of the manual ones of the original.

 

[Sommyarup Roy]

Finally the private sector is evolving and taking risks.

 

[GMR]

GOI / MOD must not let go of this opportunity and must contribute by technical hand-holding & funding. The public sector has proven its inability to meet timelines, required parameters, and efficiency.

 

[prabar]

Why do private companies need approval from the government for something that govt. agencies like HAL/ADA can't do?

 

[Prashant]

Much needed competition from private sector. And if private sector is seeking approval then design will already be ready and prototype will be ready in a few years

 

[alpha numeric]

Finally the private sector is evolving and taking risks.

Private sector needs to build the requisite competencies before "taking risks," one of the requirements for which is access to low-cost capital.

You can't whine about the private sector not taking risks if said private sector doesn't have the resources and regulatory framework. I see a lot of people crying about the private sector, but this isn't a fish market where they can "take risks."

The world doesn't work according to free market fundamentalism or fantastical liberal fantasies.

 

[alpha numeric]

Considering TASL has more experience building airframes than EEL, I'd say the government would be stupid not to license them.

 

[tlsmani]

It will be a Grob G180. They'll redesign the body to suit military applications and put in digital controls instead of the manual ones of the original.

Private sector needs to build the requisite competencies before "taking risks," one of the requirements for which is access to low-cost capital.

You can't whine about the private sector not taking risks if said private sector doesn't have the resources and regulatory framework. I see a lot of people crying about the private sector, but this isn't a fish market where they can "take risks."

The world doesn't work according to free market fundamentalism or fantastical liberal fantasies.

Are we still continuing with license permit approval etc of socialist congress?

 

[Pankaj]

That is a very good initiative taken by the private sector to boost India's indigenous UAV development, specifically HALE or MALE class, where India is not in the frame at the moment. Tapas BH-201 is struggling in the development phase. Archer-NG is still waiting for its first flight.MoD must improve the projects immediately.

 

[Sandeep]

Why do private companies need approval from the government for something that govt. agencies like HAL/ADA can't do?

Rules have to be in place on what they can or can’t do, location or the development area, security implications, civil aircraft safety etc. DRDO is a government controlled entity.

 

[Sandeep]

Permission will definitely be given to develop a new HALE drones as they would be the only company who would be developing it. So far we are still trying to develop MALE drones as nobody has succeeded in developing it.

However Tata should try to 100% indigenously design, develop and manufacture the drone instead rather than just buying parts or components and assembling them in India. This will make us reliant on those foreign parts and it will be expensive just to import it.

 

[dhiraj60]

Immediately permission for development of Male UAV should be given to Tata as private sector can develope technologies at faster pace as we have seen from L&T before time supply of K9 Vajra & also other pvt Companies

 

[Kira]

Finally the private sector is evolving and taking risks.

Taking risks is necessary, but the reward should be equally enticing and competition should be fair, which is mostly not the case when it comes to defence contracts in the country.Folks won't be studying as much and putting effort into studying to get into IITs if there were juicy employment opportunities at the other end.

 

[Leored]

Not only permission but govt. Grant finance support as well as full technology support from DRDO we need large number of private companies to come in this space as soon as possible. We need Swarn drones and AI based communication systems.

 

[Rajesh]

Good someone is taking the risk and hope the govt doesn't play like what they are doing with WhAP and ATAGS. Until the govt & force show support physically rather than political verbal stunts, no one will come to ruin their money. Tata can utilize the Grob180 structure with modification and go in a similar way to what the European consortium is doing. Govt should also include a Tata representative in the group going as an observer in the Euro drone program. Govt should also share data and technology, whatever they developed all these years, along with the infrastructure, to such companies. Seems WhAP export orders have given Tata that confidence which our people forgot to give.