The Defence Ministry has approved a massive ₹30,000 crore project to build long-range drones in India, which is expected to give a big boost to the country’s UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) industry.
Under this plan, two companies will share the contract and set up separate factories in India. These facilities will be designed to expand in the future and also make drones for export.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has cleared the purchase of 87 medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drones. These drones will be able to carry out tasks like surveillance, electronic warfare, and precision strikes.
The armed forces will soon invite Indian companies to apply for the project. After applications, trials will be held before final commercial agreements are signed.
According to reports, the total order value will be split between the two lowest bidders — 64% to the primary contractor and 36% to the second one.
Both companies will be required to:
- Manufacture aerostructures and main components in India
- Assemble and test drone engines locally
- Produce key military parts like electro-optical cameras and satellite communication systems within the country
This move aims to strengthen local production, ensure security of supply chains, and make India a strong player in the global drone market.
