₹137 Crore Deal Will Deliver Indigenous Hybrid Mini UAVs for Critical ISR Missions
As geopolitical tensions continue to highlight the importance of secure and self-reliant defense technologies, India’s military is strengthening its drone capabilities with domestic solutions.In a move reflecting increasing concern over foreign-made systems and supply chain vulnerabilities, India has awarded an Indian Army ideaForge UAV contract for hybrid mini drones.
The approximately ₹137 crore (USD $16.4 million) emergency procurement order will supply hybrid Mini UAVs—vertical takeoff and landing drones that are already certified and battle-tested by the Indian armed forces.
This development follows a broader trend in global defense, where small, tactical drones are playing an outsized role in military strategy. In recent months, reports have highlighted how small Israeli-made drones infiltrated Iranian airspace, underscoring how compact UAVs are increasingly used for intelligence, surveillance, and even strikes in contested environments. India’s move signals a continued shift toward domestically developed solutions for such missions.
Indigenous Solution Passes Stringent Security Checks
ideaForge’s hybrid Mini UAV platform was selected after a rigorous evaluation process. Performance, national security, and secure sourcing were key criteria. The Indian Army required that all critical sub-components come from countries that do not share a land border with India.
To ensure compliance, the Army formed two independent technical committees. These groups conducted multiple site visits and conducted physical and digital teardowns of the drones.
“The committees conducted multiple factory visits, where they physically and digitally stripped down each unit to independently verify component origin, embedded security, and source authenticity.”
ideaForge’s Mini UAV met all security standards and demonstrated high levels of indigenous design and manufacturing, making it a trusted choice for the Army’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
Proven Performance in Live Military Operations
The hybrid Mini UAV is a fixed-wing drone with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities, providing operational flexibility in confined or rugged environments. It has earned the “Fit for Indian Military Use” certification from the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA), a rare recognition of reliability and resilience.
The drone proved its effectiveness during Operation Sindoor, where it played a critical role in real-time ISR support.
“This emergency procurement for CI/CT operations, which will help safeguard national security, along with the military-use certification for Mini UAVs, reaffirms our commitment to building world-class, reliable UAVs in India,” said Ankit Mehta, CEO of ideaForge Technology Limited. “The trust placed in ideaForge by the Indian Army is both humbling and motivating, as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation and reliability in aerospace and defence technology.”
Rapid Deployment Timeline
The Indian Army expects delivery of the systems within 12 months to support immediate operational needs.
ideaForge currently leads the Indian UAV market and ranks third globally among dual-use drone manufacturers, according to the Drone Industry Insights Global Drone Review 2024. Its drones are widely used across defense, security, mapping, and disaster response sectors.
With this order, ideaForge strengthens its position as a key contributor to India’s push for defense self-reliance and secure technology supply chains.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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