According to government sources, the Indian Armed Forces are expected to receive 97 Made-in-India Drones for monitoring along the borders with China and Pakistan. Following the purchase of 31 Predator drones from the United States, India is currently pursuing the acquisition of 97 highly capable Made-in-India Drones under the ‘Make-in-India’ programme.
97 Made-in-India Drones
“A scientific study was carried out jointly by the defence forces, and it has been decided that to meet the Medium Altitude Long Endurance requirements, Indian forces would require 97 such drones for keeping an eye on both land and sea,” government sources said.
According to government sources, the Indian Air Force would be the lead service for the over Rs 10,000 crore procurement of these Made-in-India Drones drones, as they will also receive the greatest number of these unmanned aerial vehicles capable of flying for close to 30 hours at a stretch.
The Made-in-India Drones drones bought by the forces would be in addition to the existing fleet of around 46 Heron UAVs purchased by the three armies over the years. India recently opted to purchase 31 Predator drones in the High Altitude Long Endurance category, which would be utilised to monitor huge areas of Indian interest. The defence forces have carried out scientific analyses to determine the number of drones to be acquired, which is 97. The lead force in this acquisition would be the Indian Air Force, which would be getting over 40 of these 97 drones.
These selected UAVs fall within the medium altitude long endurance drone category. The procurement of 31 US Predators and 97 medium-category Made-in-India Drones drones will assist India in meeting all of its medium and long-range surveillance requirements along the Pakistan-China border.
The Made-in-India Drones drone acquisition is expected to provide a major push in the capabilities of the armed forces and also to boost the Make-in-India initiative of the government in the defence sector.
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