India is preparing to buy military drones worth more than $ 2 billion (about Rs 17,000 crore) from domestic companies this year. If this plan is approved, it will be the country’s largest military drone purchase deal so far. According to industry sources, work on this procurement process is going on at a fast pace and the supply of drones can start within the next 18 to 24 months.
This purchase will be many times bigger than the recently placed tactical drone order of about Rs 3,000 crore. It is believed that the government can use the fast-track procurement process to meet the immediate needs of the army.
Importance of drones in war
In the last few years, the nature of wars and military operations around the world has changed rapidly. The Russia-Ukraine war and the ongoing conflicts in West Asia have proven that even low-cost drones can have a big impact on the battlefield. During the tension between India and Pakistan last year, both the countries had used drones on a large scale.
With this, the Indian Army more seriously realized the need for drones for surveillance, target identification and precise attacks. Defense experts believe that in modern warfare, drones have now become an important weapon to increase the strength of the army.
Domestic companies will get big benefits
At present, more than 600 companies are manufacturing drones and their related equipment in India. Of these, more than 100 companies are working specifically for the defense sector. Along with big companies, many startups are also active in this field.
Companies like Adati Group, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Advanced Systems, IdeaForge, NewSpace Research and Asteria Aerospace are working on military drones, surveillance systems and other defense technologies. With the receipt of large orders, both the production capacity and investment of these companies are expected to increase.
Getting support from government policies
The government has been emphasizing on promoting self-reliance in the defense sector for the last few years. In this direction, the defense procurement process has been simplified and domestic companies are being given priority. Funding and technical assistance is also being provided to startups through schemes like Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX).
Experts believe that the proposed drone purchase will not only strengthen the capabilities of the Indian Army, but will also help take the country’s defense manufacturing industry to new heights. With this, India can further strengthen its position in the global drone and defense technology market.
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