The number of drones required by the forces has been determined by a scientific study conducted by the Integrated Defence Staff, based on the number and size of critical areas to be covered by the forces
In a significant move to bolster India’s unmanned aerial capabilities, the Defence Procurement Board (DPB), chaired by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, has cleared the acquisition of 87 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones for the Indian armed forces. India plans to boost surveillance capabilities by acquiring 87 MALE drones under the Make in India initiative enhancing surveillance capabilities over sea and land borders. To be accomodated under the Make in India initiative, the drones must have over 60 percent indigenous content. The defence ministry will soon discuss a Rs 20,000 crore proposal to kick start this acquisition. Right now, it has only been sanctioned by the DPB.
A tri-service proposal of around Rs 20,000 crore, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the lead, is expected to be discussed by the defence ministry at a high-level meeting soon. The drones would be required to have more than 60 per cent indigenous content, and various major defence players such as Adani Defence, Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, Raphe mPhibr, Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen & Toubro, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited are expected to be part of it.
The drones would be required to be capable of flying for over 30 hours at a stretch at an altitude of over 35,000 feet – at the lower height ceiling for airliners. This would be the first time that indigenous firms would lead the supply of MALE-class drones, as major drone orders have previously gone to Israeli firms.
The number of drones required by the forces has been determined by a scientific study conducted by the Integrated Defence Staff, based on the number and size of critical areas to be covered by the forces. The Indian forces would also be getting 32 High Altitude Long Endurance class MQ-9B Predators from the US under a foreign military sales deal. The programme would also provide a major opportunity for the Indian industry to develop a drone production ecosystem. One of the aims of the project, is to help indigenous firms learn how to build and develop high-end, sophisticated systems.
In picture: Israel’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) producer Aeronautics manufactured Dominator XP Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) UAS. The Dominator XP is based on the Austrian Diamond DA-42 twin star aircraft converted by Aeronautics into an unmanned platform. The aircraft has a gross takeoff weight of 1,910 kg, including 373 kg in payload weight. Its mission endurance is 20 hours.
