The armed forces should annually publish a list of subsystems and technologies that are critical to future operations. This will give the industry clarity on investment focus areas and allow the government to align financial incentives like design-linked incentives and research and development (R&D) grants.
Sustained demand is crucial for any budding industry to mature and develop. Currently, drones are suffering from a lower than required rate of adoption for them to become agents of change. The government must assume the role of the demand generator for drones by mandating their use in baseline security, governance, and infrastructure monitoring.
Building a self-reliant ecosystem
Recognizing the strategic risks of depending on foreign technologies—particularly from land-border-sharing countries—India’s Ministry of Defence has been proactive in fostering indigenous drone development. Recent advisories from the ministry have urged Indian manufacturers to avoid sourcing components from potentially adversarial countries, further reinforcing the importance of building a secure and sovereign supply chain.
This push has catalyzed rapid growth in India’s domestic drone manufacturing sector. In 2024, the government launched new incentives and policy frameworks to support the development of indigenous drones tailored specifically to Indian military needs. Several private-sector companies have emerged as key players, designing UAVs equipped with advanced surveillance systems, communication technology, and precision strike capabilities. These include small tactical drones suited for urban and jungle warfare, as well as larger UAVs capable of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in
high-altitude and border zones.
Such innovations signal a decisive shift in India’s defence strategy — from importing critical technologies to creating a self-sustained ecosystem that can meet the demands of modern warfare.
However, we have a long way to go before realising this vision. And, both the government and the industry need to work together to accelerate this journey. The government needs to solve the funding challenge for R&D through dedicated and sector-specific R&D funds, provide financial incentives to scale up manufacturing, and also play the role of principal demand generator for niche and nascent technologies like drones to ensure that R&D and manufacturing ecosystem development efforts are converted into real and sustainable businesses in the country. The industry, on the other hand, needs to focus on developing technology and products and creating a sustainable ecosystem instead of relying on imports and carrying out assembly to pass on their products as “Made in India”.
How India compares globally
To evaluate India’s readiness in drone warfare, it’s essential to examine how leading nations have integrated UAVs into their defence architectures. The United States, for instance, has been a frontrunner for decades, with platforms like the MQ-9 Reaper setting benchmarks in endurance, precision, and multi-role flexibility. These drones are capable of long-range ISR missions and precision strikes, often operated with minimal risk to personnel and high levels of real-time data integration.
Israel, another global leader, has gained acclaim for its Heron and Hermes drones. These UAVs are used extensively in surveillance, counter-terrorism, and combat operations, and have been refined through years of deployment in conflict zones. Israel’s approach demonstrates the effectiveness of agile drone integration in asymmetric warfare scenarios, a challenge India too faces along its borders. China, meanwhile, has aggressively scaled its drone capabilities. Through platforms like the Wing Loong and CH-series drones, China has expanded its military reach and entered global export markets. The widespread deployment of Chinese UAVs across Asia, Africa, and West Asia underscores Beijing’s ambitions to dominate the drone technology landscape.
While India may currently lag behind these nations in terms of fleet size and technological sophistication
in larger drone categories like MALE & HALE, we already have the globally best technology and platforms in micro, mini, and small classes.The question is how fast we can integrate them into our forces and make them part of the baseline security infrastructure.
Charting a new defence frontier
India’s journey in drone warfare is still unfolding — but the direction is clear. From being an adopter of UAV technologies to becoming a serious innovator and manufacturer, India is transitioning into a strategic drone powerhouse. The groundwork laid today will determine how India responds to the warfare of tomorrow —one increasingly dominated by autonomous systems and real-time data-driven decision-making.
Drones are no longer optional assets — they are essential components of modern defence architecture. For India, the path to maintaining its sovereignty, safeguarding its borders and citizens, and responding to both conventional and asymmetric threats lies in building a robust, indigenous, and future-ready drone ecosystem. By doubling down on innovation, fostering collaboration, and embracing new-age warfare doctrines, India can not only catch up with global leaders but also lead the next wave of military transformation in the drone age.
Ankit Mehta is CEO of ideaForge Technology Limited, a manufacturer of indigenous UAVs. Views are personal.
 "India is better prepared for the age of modern warfare")
Premium ContentPremium ContentSubscription ExpiredSubscription Expired
