The Indian Army is planning a significant expansion of its drone and surveillance capabilities, with procurement plans reportedly valued at around ₹20,000 crore.
The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day emphasis on developing indigenous drone and counter-drone technologies and strengthening India’s capabilities in advanced defence systems.
The proposed acquisitions include loitering munitions and advanced surveillance systems, reflecting the growing importance of unmanned platforms in modern warfare.
The push is also aligned with India’s broader focus on self-reliance in defence manufacturing, with greater emphasis on domestic development and production.
The Army has already moved ahead with major indigenous drone procurements. On August 13, the Defence Ministry signed contracts worth approximately ₹1,577 crore with Tata Advanced Systems and NIBE for loitering munition systems and associated equipment.
The latest plans underline the Army’s increasing focus on combining surveillance, precision strike and unmanned systems as part of its battlefield modernisation strategy.
