New Delhi — Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Nibe Defence have emerged as the lowest bidders for the Indian Army's ₹1,600 crore procurement of 840 long-range loitering munitions under a fast-track acquisition process.
Following the completion of technical evaluations, commercial bids were opened recently. TASL secured the lowest bidder (L-1) position, while Pune-based Nibe Defence was ranked as the second-lowest bidder (L-2). Out of all participating companies, only TASL, Nibe Defence, and A-Vision successfully cleared the technical trials.
Under the procurement plan, Tata Advanced Systems will supply 64% of the total order, valued at around ₹1,000 crore, while Nibe Defence will deliver the remaining 36%, worth approximately ₹600 crore. The Indian Army will now begin price negotiations with both companies before finalizing the contract. Deliveries are expected to begin within six months of contract signing.
The loitering munitions are designed to strike targets at ranges exceeding 100 km and are required to operate in electronically contested environments with resistance to jamming and spoofing.
During technical trials conducted earlier this year, Nibe Defence's Vayuastra-1 demonstrated the ability to hit targets 100 km away with a 10 kg warhead. The system also achieved over 90 minutes of endurance, operated at altitudes above 14,000 feet, and demonstrated anti-armour night strike capability using infrared guidance.
The procurement forms part of the Indian Army's ongoing artillery modernization programme, which includes raising dedicated drone units for precision strike operations. The Army also plans additional drone procurements across different range categories over the next 12 to 18 months, including a separate ₹1,500 crore tender for 36 jet-powered drones, while continuing to expand the use of indigenous unmanned systems.
Source: ANI
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