India to Acquire Largest Military Drone Fleet Worth Over $2 Billion from Domestic Manufacturers

India Set to Place Record-Breaking Military Drone Orders Worth Over $2 Billion

India is poised to make its largest-ever procurement of unmanned aerial systems, with the government planning to place orders worth more than $2 billion with domestic manufacturers this year. The proposed acquisition, currently in an advanced stage of planning, is expected to be delivered within 18 to 24 months, according to industry officials working closely with the government. This move reflects India's growing emphasis on indigenous defence production and the increasing role of drones in modern warfare.

The proposed order is significantly larger than previous drone purchases made by the government, with industry estimates suggesting it could be worth more than ₹20,000 crore. This is compared to recent orders of around ₹3,000 crore for tactical drones. If approved, it would rank among the biggest investments in India's drone industry to date.

The procurement push comes in the wake of the recent India-Pakistan conflict, where drones were used on a large scale. The government is now turning to domestic manufacturers for what could be the country's biggest military drone order yet. This development is a testament to India's growing reliance on drones in modern warfare.

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India's drone industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, with more than 600 companies now producing drones and related components. According to industry estimates, over 100 of these firms are engaged in defence-related work. The sector includes large industrial groups as well as specialised start-ups developing reconnaissance, logistics, loitering munition and precision-strike systems.

Government policy has played a key role in this growth. New Delhi has streamlined defence procurement procedures, encouraged emergency acquisitions for urgent operational needs and promoted domestic manufacturing under its self-reliance agenda. Programmes such as Innovations for Defence Excellence, or iDEX, have helped start-ups secure funding and develop prototypes for military use.

The latest procurement push is expected to provide a major boost to domestic manufacturers, improve production scale and attract further investment into defence technology. Industry leaders say stronger order visibility has already encouraged partnerships, research spending and manufacturing expansion across the sector.

If approved, the order will underline India's determination to reduce dependence on imported military hardware while building a globally competitive defence manufacturing base. It could also reshape the country's drone industry, positioning domestic firms at the centre of a rapidly evolving military technology landscape.

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