New Delhi (TDI): India is preparing to place its largest-ever order of military drones, expected to exceed $2 billion, as it accelerates efforts to strengthen domestic defense manufacturing amid rising regional and global security tensions.
According to an industry body working closely with the government, the procurement is in its advanced stages, with deliveries likely to be completed over the next 18 to 24 months. The order marks a significant increase from recent purchases worth around 30 billion rupees ($313 million) for tactical drone systems.
Drone Federation India President Smit Shah said the next phase of procurement could surpass 200 billion rupees, driven by fast-track acquisition processes designed to meet urgent military requirements.
He added that the proposed orders are expected to be executed under expedited procurement channels, allowing quicker deployment of systems across India’s armed forces.
The expansion comes as India’s defense establishment increasingly views unmanned aerial systems as central to modern warfare. Officials and industry experts describe drones as “force multipliers,” capable of reshaping surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision-strike capabilities on the battlefield.
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India’s growing focus on drones follows recent regional and global conflicts that have highlighted their strategic importance. Clashes with Pakistan in 2025 saw both sides deploying unmanned systems more extensively, while ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have further accelerated global demand and reduced costs through rapid battlefield innovation.
In parallel with the drone push, India’s defense ministry has already approved a broader procurement package worth about $24.85 billion covering transport aircraft, missile systems, and armed remotely piloted aircraft.
The country is home to more than 600 drone-related firms, including established conglomerates such as Adani Group, Larsen & Toubro, and Tata Advanced Systems, alongside startups like ideaForge, Newspace Research, and Asteria Aerospace.
Government policy shifts in recent years have significantly streamlined defense procurement, allowing emergency and fast-track acquisitions that reduce timelines from years to months. These reforms have been particularly important following operational lessons drawn from recent conflicts, which exposed gaps in surveillance and strike readiness.
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New Delhi has also intensified efforts to promote indigenous defense production under initiatives such as Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX), aiming to support startups and smaller firms in scaling up from prototypes to full-scale manufacturing.
Officials say the latest drone procurement drive reflects both immediate security concerns and a longer-term strategy to position India as a major global hub for unmanned military systems.
