In a significant move to bolster its capabilities in counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations, the Indian Army has finalized an emergency order for mini unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Indian firm ideaForge. The financial commitment for this procurement is approximately 1.37 billion Rupees, or roughly $16 million.
This order, which is part of a wider effort to enhance national security, will see the delivery of a yet-to-be-disclosed quantity of fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones along with necessary accessories within a year. The decision comes after a rigorous selection process that prioritized indigenous content, necessitating that critical components of the UAVs not be sourced from nations sharing borders with India.
The design of these UAVs is tailored for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) tasks, and they have been combat-tested during a brief but intense conflict between India and Pakistan in May 2025. This underscores their operational reliability and suitability for military applications.
Ankit Mehta, CEO of ideaForge, expressed confidence in the venture, stating that the emergency procurement will play a crucial role in enhancing the capabilities of security forces while reiterating the company’s dedication to producing world-class UAV technology within India. The military-use certification for these mini UAVs demonstrates a commitment not only to operational efficiency but also to the broader “Make in India” initiative, which seeks to minimize reliance on foreign defense technologies and promote local manufacturing and innovation.
To ensure compliance with the selection criteria, which mandated the exclusion of components from neighboring nations, two independent technical committees were dispatched to audit ideaForge’s manufacturing facilities. They assessed the origin and security integrity of all subsystems integrated into the UAVs, ensuring compliance with national security protocols.
This procurement marks a critical step toward strengthening India’s defense capabilities while fostering local industry and technological advancement.
