MoD Clears ₹30,000 Cr Deal for 87 MALE Drones, Split Between Two Makers"

 In a major push to modernize its armed forces, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved a ₹30,000 crore ($3.4 billion) deal to acquire 87 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The decision marks one of India’s largest indigenous drone procurement programs to date.

The contract will be split between two manufacturers, with orders divided in a 64:36 ratio. This approach will not only create two separate production lines but also promote competition, speed up delivery timelines, and reduce dependence on a single supplier. The plan aligns with India’s broader “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision by encouraging domestic manufacturing and technology development.

These MALE drones are designed to operate at medium altitudes for extended periods, giving the military enhanced reconnaissance, electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, and precision strike options. They are expected to play a crucial role in surveillance over land and maritime borders, counter-terrorism operations, and real-time battlefield intelligence sharing.

Each system will be equipped with advanced sensors, synthetic aperture radar, optical targeting systems, and secure communication links, allowing the drones to operate effectively even in adverse weather and contested environments. Some variants may also be armed with precision-guided munitions to strike high-value targets with minimal collateral damage.

The procurement is seen as a timely step given India’s expanding security challenges, including heightened border tensions, maritime monitoring in the Indian Ocean, and the need for persistent surveillance in high-altitude areas such as Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

Officials indicated that the production split between two firms will not only increase manufacturing capacity but also ensure redundancy in supply chains—a critical factor in times of conflict. Additionally, both vendors will be required to meet strict timelines and performance benchmarks, with penalties for delays.

Industry experts believe this move could also position India as an export hub for MALE-class drones, as the technology developed under this program could be marketed to friendly foreign nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

With delivery expected to begin within the next few years, the armed forces will soon have a significant boost in surveillance and strike capabilities, closing a long-standing gap in India’s unmanned systems inventory.