Archive · 17 Nov 2025
India Plans to Produce 87 MALE Drones Locally Under 'Make in India'
India wants to build 87 big drones that can fly high and for a long time, all by itself.
These drones are for the army and air force.
The government wants these drones to be mostly made in India, with at least half of the parts and manufacturing done locally.
This means foreign companies that want to sell drones to India must work with Indian companies and share their technology.
Some foreign companies are already partnering with Indian businesses like Adani, Larsen & Toubro, and Bharat Forge.
This project is a big deal, worth about 30,000 crore rupees.
It's part of a bigger plan called 'Make in India' to boost the country's own defense industry.
The plan also includes making drone parts like structures and cameras in India, and even putting the engines together there.
This will create new manufacturing lines and bring more investment into India's defense sector.
India plans to produce 87 MALE drones locally under the 'Make in India' initiative.
The drones must meet IDDM requirements, with at least 50 percent indigenous design and development.
Key components like aerostructures, electro-optics, and engine integration must be manufactured in India.
Foreign firms are partnering with Indian companies, bringing technology transfer and investment opportunities.
The project is estimated to be worth Rs 30,000 crore, with the lowest bidders securing orders for 56 and 31 drones respectively.
- Who
- Indian Defence Acquisition Council, Indian armed forces, Indian and foreign defense firms
- What
- Plan to procure and manufacture 87 MALE drones within India under the 'Make in India' initiative.
- When
- Defence Acquisition Council decision in August; Request for Purchase process underway.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To enhance India's drone capabilities with indigenous production, requiring significant technology transfer and foreign direct investment in the defense sector.
Original Plan
Revised IDDM Requirement
Manufacturing & Design
Original Plan
Drones to be designed, developed, and built in India as an IDDM product.
Revised IDDM Requirement
Emphasis on 50% indigenous content, with specific requirements for local manufacturing of aerostructures, EO/IR systems, and engine integration/testing.
Foreign Involvement
Original Plan
Foreign firms keen on involvement in a project potentially worth Rs 30,000 crore.
Revised IDDM Requirement
Foreign firms must partner with Indian companies for technology transfer and local manufacturing as part of the IDDM contract.
- Number of MALE Drones Needed
- 87
- Drone Type
- MALE (Medium Altitude Long Distance)
- Operational Altitude
- 10,000-25,000 feet or more
- Endurance
- 1-2 days
- Estimated Project Value
- Rs 30,000 crore
- Indigenous Content Requirement (IDDM)
- At least 50 percent
- Key Local Manufacturing Components
- Aerostructures, electro-optics (EO), Infrared (IR) systems, engine integration and testing
