India is planning the procurement of military drones worth more than $2 billion from domestic manufacturers, marking a significant shift in the country's approach to modern warfare and the changing dynamics of the battlefield. The move reflects lessons drawn from Operation Sindoor, as well as conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia.
Largest-Ever Drone Acquisition Programme
India is preparing its largest-ever drone acquisition programme, with deliveries expected over the next 18 to 24 months, according to a Reuters report. The procurement is expected to focus on Indian-made systems and could be executed through fast-track acquisition procedures designed to meet urgent operational requirements.
According to Smit Shah, President of the Drone Federation India, the next phase of military drone procurement could exceed Rs 200 billion (more than $2 billion), making it the country's largest-ever acquisition of unmanned systems. He further stated that the procurement is expected to accelerate the induction of domestically manufactured drones.
Ecosystem of Indian Drone Manufacturers
The expected orders are likely to benefit a growing ecosystem of Indian drone manufacturers, ranging from established defence companies to startups specialising in surveillance, loitering munitions, and autonomous systems. India's drone industry has witnessed rapid growth over the past years, driven by government support, defence modernisation, and the push for self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. India now has more than 600 drone and component manufacturers, with over 100 companies focused on defence applications.
Major defence companies like Tata Advanced Systems, Adani Defence, and Larsen & Toubro, along with Indian startups like Idea Forge, New Space Research, and Asteria Aerospace, are making significant progress in the field of drone technology.
Range of Systems Being Developed
Indian drone companies are developing a wide range of systems, including surveillance drones, logistics drones, loitering munitions, precision-strike platforms, and counter-drone technologies.
Government initiatives such as Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) simplify procurement procedures. The initiative has increased opportunities for private sector participation, attracted investments, and boosted manufacturing capacity.
