India’s military has significantly bolstered its drone capabilities with a new order from ideaForge, a prominent player in unmanned systems. This procurement comes after rigorous trials in electronic-warfare conditions, demonstrating the advanced capabilities of ideaForge’s offerings.
The company announced it will provide its advanced Zolt tactical drone alongside the SWITCH 2 vertical-takeoff UAV, under a capital emergency procurement valued at approximately 1 billion rupees ($11.3 million). According to the Economic Times, Zolt alone accounts for about 750 million rupees ($8.5 million) of this order, following its successful evaluation in challenging high-altitude and heavily jammed environments. The SWITCH 2 drone, which is already operational in the army, received a follow-up order worth 300 million rupees ($3.39 million).
This procurement aligns with India’s strategic objective to enhance its Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, particularly along its contested borders. The design of the Zolt drone is tailored for long-range missions, focusing on precision payload delivery, which marks a significant advancement in India’s defense technology.
ideaForge’s relationship with the Indian defense sector has been on an upward trajectory. In June 2025, the company secured an emergency order worth 1.37 billion rupees ($16 million) to supply mini unmanned aerial vehicles, set to deliver fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing drones within a year.
Beyond military applications, ideaForge’s drones have found a place in various governmental and civil sectors. Agencies like the National Disaster Response Force and local police units have incorporated these UAVs for crucial tasks, including mapping, search-and-rescue operations, and monitoring essential infrastructure, reflecting the growing integration of drone technology in national security and public safety efforts.
