ideaForge Secures Rs 137 Crore Deal of Indigenous Hybrid UAVs For Indian Army

In a major step toward strengthening India's surveillance capabilities, ideaForge Technology has won a substantial order worth approximately ₹137 crore from the Indian Army for its advanced hybrid mini unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. The order was placed under the emergency procurement route, signaling the Army’s immediate need for reliable and indigenous drone solutions to enhance situational awareness and intelligence gathering.

These mini UAVs are not new to the Indian Army. They have already been inducted earlier and have seen active deployment in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations. The current order reflects continued trust in their performance, especially under operationally challenging conditions.

A key criterion during the Army's selection process was the origin of critical components. All sub-systems had to be sourced from countries that do not share a land border with India, in line with strategic defense procurement norms. Moreover, the UAVs had to be substantially indigenous in both design and capability—a condition ideaForge comfortably met.

ideaForge’s UAVs are known for their rugged design, autonomous capabilities, and operational endurance. Their hybrid mini drones combine vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) with fixed-wing performance, offering the best of both worlds: the ability to launch in confined spaces like a quadcopter and fly long distances like a traditional aircraft. These drones are capable of day and night surveillance, have encrypted communication, GPS-denied navigation, and are highly resistant to jamming—making them ideal for border surveillance, anti-terror missions, and disaster response.

ideaForge, which began as a student startup incubated at IIT Bombay, has grown into one of India’s leading drone manufacturers. It has delivered thousands of UAVs across the country for defense, homeland security, and industrial applications. The company operates R&D and manufacturing units across Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and also has a presence in the United States.

This latest order not only reaffirms the Indian Army's commitment to using indigenous technology but also highlights India’s growing confidence in home-grown drone capabilities. As regional threats evolve and the need for real-time intelligence becomes more critical, advanced drone systems like those from ideaForge will play an increasingly vital role in keeping India's borders secure and forces well-informed.