NEW DELHI, — June 17, 2026 : The Ministry of Defence has received 10 bids from Indian public and private sector companies for the production of 87 Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The project, valued at over ₹30,000 crore, is one of India's largest indigenous drone procurement programs.
The bidding process officially closed on June 16, after the ministry extended the deadline twice to allow participating companies additional time to prepare their proposals.
The program is being conducted under the Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured (Buy Indian-IDDM) category, supporting the government's efforts to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
Major companies that submitted bids include Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Adani Defence Systems Limited, Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, and Raphe mPhibr Ltd., along with other competing firms.
To ensure production capacity and reduce supply chain risks, the defence ministry is expected to divide the contract between the two lowest bidders, likely in a 64:36 ratio, creating two separate production lines in India. While the initial requirement is for 87 drones, future procurement plans could expand the fleet to more than 300 UCAVs.
The MALE UCAVs will operate at altitudes between 10,000 and 30,000 feet and are expected to remain airborne for extended periods exceeding 24 hours. The drones will primarily conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions and will be equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), electro-optical sensors, and secure SATCOM systems.
In addition to surveillance roles, the platforms will be capable of carrying indigenous missile systems for precision strike missions, enhancing the IAF's operational capabilities.
The new fleet will support surveillance and security operations along the borders with China and Pakistan, while also strengthening long-range maritime monitoring in the Indian Ocean Region. The program marks a significant step in India's transition from imported drone systems toward domestically developed and manufactured unmanned combat aircraft.
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