New Delhi: India’s ?30,000 crore defence drone deal has attracted strong interest from leading Indian aerospace and defence companies. Around 10 public and private sector firms have submitted bids to build advanced Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) drones for the Indian Armed Forces. The project is one of the country’s biggest indigenous drone programs and supports the government’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

The Ministry of Defence has received nearly 10 bids for the procurement of 87 MALE drones. These drones will be used by the Indian Air Force and other armed forces for surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and precision strike missions.

India has significantly increased investment in homegrown defence technology over the last few years. Large programs involving drones, fighter aircraft, missiles, and electronic warfare systems are creating new opportunities for Indian companies.