By A Correspondent

Mumbai: In a major boost to India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and US-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) have announced a strategic partnership to produce Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in India.

The collaboration is aimed at meeting the growing operational requirements of the Indian armed forces while supporting the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, the companies announced in a statement on Oct. 31, 2025.

GA-ASI, renowned globally for its MQ-series drones such as the Predator and Reaper, brings decades of experience in developing and operating advanced unmanned aerial systems.

L&T, one of India’s leading engineering and defence technology companies, contributes its extensive expertise in precision manufacturing, system integration, and platform development.

Under the agreement, L&T and GA-ASI will deliver combat-proven MALE RPAS platforms that will be manufactured entirely in India. The programme will involve significant technology transfer and indigenous content, strengthening India’s aerospace capabilities and reducing reliance on imports.

The partnership is particularly significant as L&T is set to participate in the Ministry of Defence’s upcoming procurement of 87 MALE RPAS units, where it will serve as the prime bidder with GA-ASI as its technology partner.

The drones under this programme are expected to be based on GA-ASI’s MQ-series, which have logged millions of flight hours globally in both surveillance and precision strike missions.

“This partnership offers India a unique opportunity to manufacture state-of-the-art unmanned platforms indigenously.” L&T chairman and managing director S. N. Subrahmanyan said, announcing the collaboration.

“We are proud to join hands with GA-ASI, a recognised world leader in this domain, and are confident that this alliance will significantly enhance India’s defence capabilities and advance self-reliance in aerospace technologies.”

“We are honoured to serve the Indian market in partnership with Larsen & Toubro, a trusted and capable leader in India’s defence sector,” General Atomics Global Corporation chief executive Dr. Vivek Lall echoed the sentiment.

By combining GA-ASI’s proven technology with L&T’s robust manufacturing expertise, we aim to deliver cutting-edge MALE RPAS solutions that will enhance the operational readiness of the Indian armed forces and contribute to a strong, sustainable defence ecosystem in India.”

The L&T–GA-ASI partnership represents a major step toward establishing India as a global hub for unmanned aerial systems, reinforcing the growing Indo-US defence cooperation and paving the way for next-generation indigenous drone manufacturing.

NOTE: Follow Defence.Capital on Arattai.
NOTE: Follow Defence.Capital on Telegram.
NOTE: Follow Defence.Capital on WhatsApp.