Our Bureau
New Delhi
India is set to place its largest-ever military drone order, worth more than $2 billion, with domestic manufacturers this year, marking a watershed moment in the country’s defence modernisation push. The planned procurement, confirmed by industry sources, signals a major strategic shift toward self-reliance in unmanned aerial systems.
The move comes as India seeks to bolster its defence preparedness following recent hostilities with Pakistan, where unmanned aerial vehicles were deployed extensively on both sides. The conflict underscored an urgent need for enhanced surveillance and strike capabilities, accelerating the government’s decision to fast-track indigenous drone acquisition through expedited procedures.
Smit Shah, President of the Drone Federation India, stated the next phase of military drone procurement could exceed Rs 200 billion (more than $2 billion), making it the country’s biggest-ever acquisition of unmanned systems. The procurement will focus exclusively on Indian-made systems, aligning with the government’s “Make in India” defence initiative.
In March 2026, the defence ministry had already approved a broader proposal worth about 2.38 trillion rupees ($24.85 billion) to procure transport aircraft, missile systems, and remotely piloted strike aircraft. The $2 billion drone order represents a critical component of this larger modernisation strategy.
The Defence Acquisition Council had previously approved the procurement of 87 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones worth over ₹30,000 crore, marking one of the largest indigenous UAV programs to date. That program’s estimated value ranges between ₹30,000 and ₹32,350 crore, equivalent to about $3 billion.
This historic acquisition demonstrates India’s commitment to reducing defence imports while strengthening its domestic aerospace industry. The order is expected to be executed through fast-track acquisition procedures designed to meet urgent operational requirements of the armed forces.
