What are MALE drones that India plans to build?

India is making grand plans for drones.

The Defence Ministry has given the green light for around 90 heavy duty armed drones to be procured.

The decision comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan , which India launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Not only that, India also plans to build these drones indigenously.

But what happened? What do we know about these medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones?

Let’s take a closer look

What we know 

India’s defence ministry has approved the acquisition of 87 such drones . The decision was taken by the Rajnath Singh-led Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). It was part of a larger 67,000 crore modernisation package approved by the DAC.

The other acquisitions include BrahMos systems, mountain radars, night sights for BMPs (infantry fighting vehicles) and compact autonomous surface craft.

The drones will be purchased at a price of rupees 20,000 crores under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative.

The deal will see an Indian company tie up with a foreign firm. The drones will be produced with an indigenous content of 60 per cent, those in the know said.

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The drones can stay in the air for a longer time than its competitors . They are remotely piloted and can also several payloads and weapons.  The drones will have advanced surveillance and combat capabilities. This includes giving real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) in all types of terrain.

These drones must be able to remain in the air for over 30 hours. They must also be able to achieve a maximum altitude of at least 35,000 feet.

The government has said the induction of these drones will increase the ability of the Indian Armed Forces to carry out around-the-clock surveillance on India’s borders.

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It will also give a boost to the armed forces’ combat capabilities.

Why was this decision taken?

A senior official told The Times of India that the need for the drones and other weapons was felt during Operation Sindoor.

India had launched Operation Sindoor on 7 and 8 May in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April.

All three Indian services needed the equipment, the official said.

“The 87 drones, with ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and weapon-carrying capability, will cost around Rs 20,000 crore. Another Rs 11,000 crore will be for logistical and other support by the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) for 10 years,” the official added.

“The induction of MALE class drones will enhance the surveillance capabilities of all three services, especially the Indian Air Force to monitor the Eastern and Western Border,” an official previously told The Hindu.

India hopes to induct these MALE drones ahead of the Predator drones it ordered from the US last year. Those drones will only be delivered by 2029-2030.

The Indian Navy in January 2024 had received its first indigenously-made MALE drones. Those drones were manufactured in Hyderabad under a tie-up between Adani Defene and Israeli firm Elbit. The MALE drones, known as the Drishti 10 StarLiner, can remain in the air for 36 hours, have satellite connectivity and can carry a 450 kilo payload.

They are based on the Hermes 900 Starliner made by Elbit. The Indian Army and Indian Navy each inducted two drones. A source had said that the indigenous content for the drones stood at 70 per cent. The Indian Armed Forces at the time said it was looking to purchase around 150 MALE drones.

With inputs from agencies