Indian Army Orders ₹5,000 Crore Indigenous Drones to Tackle Enemy Threats

New Delhi: The Indian Army has placed orders worth ₹5,000 crore for indigenous drones, capable of countering enemy spoofing and jamming tactics. Before finalizing the purchase, the Army conducted rigorous testing, recreating conditions similar to Operation Sindoor, ensuring that these drones meet operational requirements in challenging environments.

Three-Pronged Capability

According to reports, the drones ordered will handle enemy threats in three distinct ways:

1. Short-range kamikaze drones designed to destroy targets by self-destruction.
2. Long-range precision mission drones capable of identifying and neutralizing targets before returning safely.
3. Surveillance UAVs for intelligence-gathering and reconnaissance operations.

Strict Selection and Indigenous Focus

The Army’s selection process emphasized drones that perform efficiently under spoofing and jamming conditions. Each drone was also screened to ensure no Chinese components were used. A specialized electronic warfare testing area simulated high-altitude and jamming-heavy conditions to verify performance before procurement.

Involvement of Public and Private Sector

The orders have been placed exclusively with domestic manufacturers, both public and private. Munitions India Limited secured contracts worth ₹500 crore for loitering munitions. On the private sector front, NewsSpace Research & Technologies and SMPP Pvt Ltd jointly won contracts worth ₹725 crore for surveillance and kamikaze drones. Additionally, Ideaforge and JSW were awarded contracts for specialized UAVs, excelling in surveillance and vertical take-off and landing capabilities, respectively.

This major procurement is expected to enhance India’s aerial combat and surveillance capabilities, providing a robust indigenous solution to modern battlefield challenges.

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