Defence Ministry to Buy 10 MALE Drones for Indian Coast Guard

NEW DELHI — The Ministry of Defence has formally kicked off the procurement process to acquire 10 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems for the Indian Coast Guard. The strategic acquisition, estimated at approximately ₹2,000 crore, marks the maritime force’s first major transition toward large-scale, long-range unmanned aerial vehicles for persistent surveillance along India’s maritime boundaries.

According to the Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Ministry of Defence, prospective Indian defense contractors—including major industrial players such as Adani Defence, Solar Industries, Tata Advanced Systems, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and Larsen & Toubro—are expected to submit bids before the deadline on October 7.

Expanding Surveillance Beyond Line of Sight

The induction of MALE drones represents a significant operational upgrade for the Aviation Wing of the Indian Coast Guard. Historically dependent on manned Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft and helicopters, the Coast Guard requires advanced unmanned assets to meet expanding surveillance and reconnaissance needs Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS).

The newly planned SATCOM-enabled MALE UAVs will feature long-endurance capabilities, allowing unblinking maritime domain awareness across:

• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Extending up to 200 nautical miles from the Indian coastline.

• Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR): Providing critical Search and Rescue (SAR) coverage for commercial mariners and fishing vessels in distress.

• Strategic Borders: Monitoring sensitive maritime boundaries with Pakistan in the Gujarat sector and maintaining persistent watch over the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep island chains.

"The Ministry of Defence, Government of India, intends to procure Ten (10) Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) for use by Indian Coast Guard."

— Ministry of Defence, Request for Information (RFI)

Part of Broader Defense Indigenization Drive

This ₹2,000 crore procurement effort runs parallel to a larger project being processed by the Ministry of Defence—a mega ₹32,000 crore deal to acquire 87 MALE drones for the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.

Under the Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured (IDDM) guidelines, the government aims to reduce historical reliance on foreign suppliers from Israel and the United States, fostering a self-reliant domestic defense manufacturing ecosystem.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Procurement Volume: 10 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft.

• Estimated Project Value: Approximately ₹2,000 crore.

• Primary Roles: Search and Rescue (SAR), maritime border protection, illegal trade interdiction, and persistent ISR.

• Bidding Deadline: Bidders must submit proposals by October 7.

• Major Competitors: Adani Defence, Solar Industries, Tata Advanced Systems, HAL, L&T, and Raphe mPhibr.

Official Sources Section

According to official announcements by the Ministry of Defence and releases distributed via Press Information Bureau and news agencies, the RFI outlines strict operational parameters focusing on satellite communications, payload capacity, and continuous multi-day flight endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are MALE drones and why does the Coast Guard need them?

Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones operate between 10,000 and 30,000 feet altitude and can remain airborne for over 24 hours continuously. They provide persistent radar and optical coverage over vast ocean areas where manned aircraft reach fuel limits.

Which Indian companies are competing for the tender?

Leading domestic aerospace and defense firms, including Adani Defence, Tata Advanced Systems, Solar Industries, Larsen & Toubro, HAL, and Raphe mPhibr are expected to submit competitive proposals.

When is the procurement expected to be finalized?

The submission window for the RFI closes on October 7, after which technical evaluation and trial phases will commence.

Source: Ministry of Defence RFI Notice | Press Information Bureau