MALE Drones: How India's New Combat UAVs Stack Up Against The US Predator
Unlike the Predator drones ordered from the United States, which are expected only by 2029, the new MALE drones will be built in India with 60 per cent indigenous content
India is ramping up its drone power, and this time, it's going local. The Defence Ministry has cleared a major proposal to acquire 87 armed Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones, as part of a wider Rs 67,000 crore defence package approved by the Defence Acquisition Council.
A senior official told The Times of India that the need for these drones was felt during Operation Sindoor, India's retaliatory cross-border strikes in May following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Unlike the Predator drones ordered from the United States, which are expected only by 2029, the new MALE drones will be built in India with 60 per cent indigenous content and deployed much sooner.
The Rs 20,000 crore drone deal signals more than just another big-ticket defence buy; it reflects a strategic shift. India is not just procuring combat drones; it is building future warfighting capabilities tailored to its evolving security challenges.
Their primary utility lies in their ability to provide long-duration intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), while also carrying out precision strikes using guided weapons.
India's interest in acquiring such drones stems from their growing role in modern conflicts, from Ukraine to Gaza, where air superiority and real-time data have become critical. MALE drones are now seen as indispensable tools in border surveillance, counter-terrorism, and conventional warfare alike.
What Has The Defence Ministry Approved?
On August 5, 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved a Rs 67,000 crore modernisation package. Of this, around Rs 20,000 crore has been earmarked for the procurement of 87 armed MALE drones. According to a senior official quoted by TOI, 'All three armed forces need these drones, which are equipped with intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance and weapon-carrying capability." The official also revealed that an additional Rs 11,000 crore would be allocated for logistical and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) support for the next 10 years.
The drones will be produced under a joint venture between Indian and foreign firms, with a minimum of 60 per cent indigenous content, in line with the government's Make in India initiative. Once inducted, they are expected to carry multiple payloads, operate across varying terrains, conduct real-time ISR missions, and deliver precision strikes, all while flying at altitudes above 35,000 feet for extended durations.
Why The Urgency? Lessons From Operation Sindoor
India's renewed urgency around drone procurement is directly tied to Operation Sindoor, the retaliatory cross-border strikes carried out in May against terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, following the Pahalgam terror attack. During the operation, India deployed loitering munitions and kamikaze drones to target terror infrastructure. While effective, these were single-use systems.
MALE drones, unlike kamikaze drones, can return after striking, making them more cost-effective over time. The ability to loiter, gather intelligence, strike, and then reposition — all within a single mission — makes them an invaluable strategic asset.
How Do These Drones Compare With Predator MQ-9Bs?
India had earlier signed a deal to procure 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the United States in a deal worth over Rs 32,000 crore. These are classified as High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones and are widely used by the US military. However, delivery timelines remain long, with the first units expected no earlier than 2029 or 2030.
In contrast, the indigenous MALE drones approved this month are expected to be delivered much sooner. Defence officials quoted in The Economic Times said these drones are intended to match key capabilities of the Predator while being far more cost-effective and tailored to India's unique requirements.
While the Predators may offer advantages in range and satellite interoperability, India's drones will be optimised for faster integration and quicker deployment, especially along the eastern and western borders.
Is India Ready To Build Armed Drones?
India has already tested the waters. In January 2024, the Indian Navy and Army inducted the Drishti 10 StarLiner, a MALE drone developed through a collaboration between Adani Defence and Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems. Based on Elbit's Hermes 900 platform, the Drishti 10 can remain airborne for 36 hours, has satellite connectivity, and can carry a 450 kg payload. At the time of induction, it was reported to have 70 per cent indigenous content.
The new batch of 87 drones is expected to follow a similar path, with Indian companies like HAL, Bharat Forge, L&T, Tata Advanced Systems, and Adani among the likely contenders. These projects will not only improve India's air capabilities but also help build a domestic ecosystem for high-tech military UAVs.
What Else Was Cleared Under The Rs 67,000 Crore Package?
The drone deal is just one part of a sweeping defence upgrade. According to ET, the DAC also cleared over 110 BrahMos air-launched missiles for the IAF's Sukhoi-30 fighters, worth around Rs 10,800 crore. The Indian Navy will receive upgraded BrahMos fire control systems and launchers for older warships, while the Barak-1 missile system will also be upgraded.
The Army is set to procure thermal imager-based night sights for BMP infantry vehicles, while the Navy will acquire compact autonomous surface craft designed for anti-submarine warfare. The Air Force will benefit from specialised mountain radars and upgrades to the Israeli Spyder air defence system (called 'Saksham' in India). The package also includes long-term maintenance contracts for key platforms such as the S-400 missile system and the C-17 and C-130J aircraft fleets.
Final Word
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India's decision to fast-track its MALE drone programme signals a strategic pivot — from reactive acquisitions to proactive capability-building. The lessons from Operation Sindoor have underscored the need for platforms that offer persistent surveillance, precision strikes, and cross-service interoperability. With the Predator MQ-9Bs still years away, these home-built drones could become the backbone of India's ISR and strike missions in the near term.
More importantly, the deal strengthens India's push for defence self-reliance not just in drones, but across a range of modern battlefield technologies.
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August 07, 2025, 10:55 IST
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