MEERUT, UTTAR PRADESH : The Government of India has initiated construction of the country’s first dedicated military aviation base for unmanned aerial systems in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, following operational experience gained during Operation Sindoor (May 2025). The ₹406-crore project is being executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and is designed to support sustained, high-tempo Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operations.
The facility will be developed across approximately 900 acres and is planned as a central operational hub for unmanned systems. Core infrastructure includes a 2,110-meter-long and 45-meter-wide runway, engineered to support both High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones and select military transport aircraft.
Runway and Airside Infrastructure
The runway specifications enable operations of large unmanned platforms used for extended surveillance missions, along with transport aircraft in the C-295 and C-130 class for logistics and operational support. The width and load-bearing standards are structured to accommodate heavy transport aircraft as well as large UAV systems.
The airfield will be equipped with ICAO Category-II compliant lighting systems and advanced navigational aids, enabling flight operations during low-visibility conditions, including night-time and adverse weather.
To support maintenance, storage, and rapid deployment, the base will include two hangars, each measuring 60 meters by 50 meters. These facilities are designed for routine servicing, mission preparation, and protection of unmanned platforms.
Project Structure and Implementation Timeline
The project follows an 85-month implementation schedule. The initial seven months are allocated for pre-award activities and preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR). This will be followed by an 18-month supervised construction phase.
Post-construction provisions include a 24-month defect liability period to address structural or technical issues, along with 36 months of maintenance oversight to ensure infrastructure reliability and operational stability.
Once operational, the Meerut base is projected to handle approximately 1,500 RPA sorties annually, averaging four drone missions per day.
Operational Background: Operation Sindoor
The establishment of the drone aviation base follows the deployment of unmanned aerial systems during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. During the operation, drones were used extensively for surveillance and reconnaissance over sensitive border regions.
Unmanned systems provided real-time intelligence inputs, supported precision targeting, and enhanced situational awareness. The operational experience demonstrated the requirement for dedicated infrastructure to sustain expanded unmanned operations.
Strategic Role
The Meerut airbase represents an institutional shift toward integrating autonomous and remotely piloted platforms within India’s defense framework. The development of a purpose-built runway, supported by maintenance and logistics infrastructure, is intended to facilitate continuous surveillance capability, structured deployment cycles, and coordination with manned aircraft.
Compatibility with heavy transport aircraft ensures that unmanned systems can receive logistical support, equipment transfers, and personnel movement without dependence on separate airfields.
Upon completion, the facility is expected to function as a key operational center for unmanned aviation, supporting surveillance, reconnaissance, and related defense missions within India’s national security architecture.
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