India to Fast-Track ₹20,000 Crore Indigenous 87 MALE Drone Project to Sharpen Border Surveillance

India is preparing to accelerate a massive ₹20,000 crore defense program aimed at acquiring 87 cutting-edge Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones, a move that signals a decisive push toward strengthening surveillance across both its land and maritime borders. This development comes amid the ongoing Operation Sindoor, which has increased the urgency for advanced aerial intelligence capabilities, especially along sensitive borders with Pakistan and China.

The proposal is part of the Make in India initiative and will be spearheaded by the Indian Air Force in collaboration with the Army and Navy. A high-level meeting in the Ministry of Defence is expected soon to formally take up the tri-service procurement plan. Once cleared, the plan will mark the first large-scale indigenous MALE drone acquisition effort, significantly reducing dependency on foreign suppliers.

These drones will be engineered to fly for over 30 hours continuously at altitudes exceeding 35,000 feet, offering persistent aerial surveillance over vast and challenging terrains. The specifications are aimed at matching international standards while encouraging domestic innovation and manufacturing.

One of the standout features of the program is the requirement for over 60% indigenous content, which aligns with the government's push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing. This requirement opens the door for major Indian defense companies to compete for contracts and build critical capabilities. Likely contenders include Adani Defence, Solar Industries' Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, Raphe mPhibr, Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen & Toubro, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

So far, most of India’s MALE drone acquisitions have been from Israeli firms, especially the Heron series, but this project shifts focus to homegrown solutions. The strategic requirement for 87 drones is not arbitrary—it stems from a detailed scientific study conducted by the Integrated Defence Staff, which assessed the number and type of drones needed to effectively monitor India’s expansive and diverse operational zones.

In parallel, India is also finalizing a deal to procure 32 High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) MQ-9B Predator drones from the United States under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement. While the Predators will fulfill specialized long-range missions, the indigenous MALE drones will be a workhorse for day-to-day surveillance, reconnaissance, and potentially even strike missions in future upgrades.

Apart from enhancing military readiness, the project is expected to play a catalytic role in building a full-fledged drone production ecosystem in India. With this program, Indian defense firms will gain experience in producing sophisticated aerial platforms, integrating advanced avionics, secure data links, and sensor payloads—all critical for future drone warfare.

By fast-tracking this MALE drone project, India is not only responding to current operational requirements but also preparing for the long-term goal of strategic autonomy in drone technology, essential in modern warfare. The initiative could also pave the way for India to eventually become a global exporter of high-performance military UAVs.