ideaForge Technology has announced the successful acquisition of an emergency procurement order valued at ₹137 crore from the Indian Army for its cutting-edge hybrid Mini unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This announcement comes days after the drones demonstrated their effectiveness during Operation Sindoor—India’s recent cross-border operation against Pakistan. The company is expected to deliver these advanced UAVs within a year.
Selected through an expedited procurement process, the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones are specifically crafted for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in rugged terrains, making them particularly suitable for the challenging operational landscapes faced by military personnel. The hybrid design of these drones marries the efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft with the lift capabilities of quadcopters, allowing them to operate without the need for a runway, which is essential for high-altitude missions and confined environments.
Moreover, the Indian Army has imposed stringent requirements on this order, insisting that none of the drone’s core components originate from nations sharing a land border with India. ideaForge met these demands through rigorous verification processes, which included comprehensive inspections conducted by two technical teams at their manufacturing facilities to ensure the origin and integrity of each component.
The drone systems have received certification as “Fit for Indian Military Use” from the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA), confirming that they meet the military standards required for durability, resilience, and mission effectiveness.
This procurement is part of a larger initiative undertaken by India’s armed forces to bolster readiness in the wake of recent tensions along the western border. The emergency procurement rules facilitate swift acquisition of critical equipment, allowing for the spending of up to 15 percent of the annual defense modernization budget. For the fiscal year 2025–26, this allowance is capped at ₹24,000 crore.
In addition to the Mini UAVs, the armed forces are prioritizing the acquisition of loitering munitions, anti-tank missiles, counter-drone systems, and artillery rounds, all aimed at filling essential gaps in operational capabilities and ensuring strategic preparedness.
