India's Rs 1.46-lakh-crore defence push for next-gen drones

India is investing heavily in advanced drone technology to prepare for future wars.

The country is moving beyond simple quadcopters to more complex systems like long-endurance aircraft, unmanned naval vessels, and high-altitude platforms.

This push aims to make India self-reliant in defence technology, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

The Indian government has approved several high-value projects, including medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones, compact autonomous surface craft (CASC), and loitering munitions.

Companies like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and CSIR–National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) are developing advanced systems.

The goal is to have a robust industrial base that can produce and maintain these sophisticated technologies, ensuring India's defence capabilities are cutting-edge and self-sufficient.