By A Correspondent
Mumbai: In a major boost to domestic defence manufacturing, Mumbai-based drone maker ideaForge Technology has secured a ₹137 crore emergency order from the Indian Army for its hybrid mini unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The company confirmed the army procurement on June 23, 2025.
The fast-track deal, aimed at meeting urgent operational requirements, follows the successful deployment of these drones during Operation Sindoor, the May 2025 cross-border operation conducted by the Indian armed forces against Pakistan.
The hybrid Mini UAVs play a key role by providing real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) in challenging terrains.
These Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) drones combine the endurance of fixed-wing aircraft with the agility of quadcopters, eliminating the need for runways.
The Indian Army’s decision to procure them underlines a growing emphasis on indigenous high-tech systems that enhance battlefield awareness and tactical advantage.
A critical stipulation of this emergency procurement was that no core components of the drones be sourced from countries sharing a land border with India, a clear reference to China.
The drone maker passed rigorous inspections by two separate technical teams to verify the origin of every part of its hybrid Mini UAVs.
The drones are already certified “Fit for Indian Military Use” by the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA), having met stringent durability and performance standards.
This order is scheduled for completion within 12 months and falls under the defence ministry’s emergency procurement rules, which allow acquisitions worth up to 15% of the defence modernisation budget.
With a cap of ₹24,000 crore for 2025-26 for emergency purchases, such quick buys reflect India’s sharpened focus on warfighting readiness amid heightened border tensions.
NOTE: Follow Defence.Capital on Telegram.
NOTE: Follow Defence.Capital on WhatsApp.
