India Could Develop Its Own Male UAV In Next Few Years

The progression of warfare with time has been marked by significant technological breakthroughs. From the advent of tanks to the emergence of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), each decade has introduced new combat tools, often influenced by shifting socio-political dynamics. Recently, India has actively worked to bolster its domestic defence capabilities, aligning with the broader goals of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ or self-reliant initiative.

The move towards a self-sufficient defence sector is further underscored by the substantial rise in defence spending, which has reached a remarkable Rs 6.21 lakh crore in the 2024-2025 interim budget. This growth is closely tied to the increasing role of drones, which have rapidly challenged the dominance of traditional heavy armour, providing the military with significant strategic advantages.

The key advantage of UAVs is that they are significantly less expensive than manned aircraft and eliminate the risk to human lives. This data refers to drone/UAV transfers (both imports and exports) between nations, though some countries have developed their drones, meaning the actual number of UAVs in possession may differ.

Between 1985 and 2014, a total of 1,574 UAV transfers occurred globally, with 16 of these being armed UAVs, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a global conflict research organisation.

UAV deal increased by 137 per cent during this period. From 1985 to 1990, 185 UAVs were sold worldwide, rising to 439 between 2010 and 2014. Egypt and Italy are among the major importers, and the past decade also saw the sale of 16 armed UAVs.

India's first UAV acquisition came from Israel in 1998, while the UK imported its first in 1972 from Canada. Japan became the first country to import a UAV in 1968, receiving one from the US.

Nearly all of India's UAV imports have come from Israel, with 108 Searcher UAVs and 68 Heron UAVs among the 176 total units. Israel is the top drone exporter, responsible for 60.7 per cent of global exports between 1985 and 2014.

Recently, the Indian government has moved forward with a major deal to acquire 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the United States. This Rs 32,000 crore purchase is aimed at enhancing India's surveillance and reconnaissance abilities, especially in high-altitude, long-endurance (Hale) operations. The deal, which was first announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US in June 2023, is expected to be finalised by October 2024. These drones will also be equipped with Indigenous weapons to further bolster their strategic capabilities.

However, Arjun Naik, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Scandron believes India could be ready to manufacture these types of military-use drones over the next two to three years and induction in the Indian army of these systems. He also said that India has some drones that are being weaponised by the army and we have started indigenously developing the high-end drones.

Indian manufacturers could focus on the medium-altitude long-endurance (Male) category drones, which are known as very large drones that can fly for 24-plus hours. Male drones fly at very high altitudes and primarily towards surveillance and also some of them are armed with missiles.

On the other hand, India’s MALE drone programme has seen mixed progress, with significant challenges and achievements. The Tapas BH-201 (formerly Rustom-2), developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has been a focal point of India's effort to develop indigenous drone capabilities. Lt Gen PR Shankar (Retd) highlighted the importance of addressing emerging UAV threats while also highlighting the growing necessity of having an advanced Male drone for effective surveillance​.

Drone technology has had a transformative effect on not only India's defence capabilities but across the world. These aerial systems provide unmatched capabilities in surveillance, intelligence collection and remote operations, while also boosting situational awareness and enabling precision strikes. As India continues to develop its defence infrastructure, incorporating domestically produced aerial defence systems offers a crucial opportunity to promote self-reliance and growth within the defence sector.

Sangeet Kumar Sanu

BW Reporters Sangeet Kumar Sanu as a Correspondent reports on Defence, Space and Foreign Affairs for BW since 2022.