Advertisement

Indian Army To Bid For 363 High & Medium Range Drones

Because of the critical roles are played by unarmed drones, the Indian Army eyeing to procure more drones for the China front

Representative Image

In keeping with the rapidly changing military ecosystem and the role of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the defence ministry issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for 163 'high altitude' and 200 ‘medium altitude' drones on Monday. The deadline for bid submission is 11 November 2022.

Drones will be operable in fully autonomous, manual and "return to home” modes.

These platforms, known as 'logistics' drones, will primarily be used for all-weather and day-night operations to carry payloads that can be used for supply and logistics, ranging from ammunition to surveillance and reconnaissance payloads, with the capability to go beyond borders into depth areas.

They can also effectively act as force multipliers by providing the "last mile connect" to troops and deployments on the ground.

The acquisition will take place under the emergency procurement clause, using the Fast Track Procedure (FTP) under the Buy (Indian) category, with at least 50 to 60 per cent indigenous components if the drone design is indigenous.

These drones weigh no more than 100 kg, have a payload of no less than 15 kg and are able to resist high-altitude strong wind currents and gusts. It should have a payload endurance time of at least 40 minutes and an operational range of at least 10 kilometres.

These high-altitude drones should operate at temperatures ranging from 30 degrees to minus 20 degrees Celsius. Whereas, medium-altitude drones should be able to function at temperatures ranging from 45 degrees to minus 20 degrees Celsius.

High-altitude drones must be capable of being launched from not less than 4,000 metres above sea level and 1,000 metres above ground level, while medium-altitude drones must be capable of being launched from 3,000 metres and 1,000 metres, respectively.


Tags assigned to this article:
uavs drones indian army

Advertisement

Around The World