Source: ET
Context: India has fast-tracked the ₹20,000 crore procurement of 87 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones from domestic firms to strengthen border surveillance.
About Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones:
- What is a MALE Drone?
- MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that operate at medium altitudes (up to ~35,000 feet) and are capable of sustained flights for over 30 hours.
- They are used for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) and limited combat missions.
- Developed By:
- Under the Make in India initiative
- Previously, such drones were sourced from Israeli firms
- Key Features of MALE Drones:
- Endurance: Operate for over 30 hours
- Altitude: Fly at 35,000 feet or more.
- Payload: Equipped with EO/IR cameras, radar, and combat modules.
- Real-time ISR: Enables persistent monitoring across terrains.
- Indigenous Content: Over 60% locally manufactured, reducing import dependency.
- Remote Ops: Controlled via ground stations with secure communication links.
- Strategic Applications:
- Border Surveillance: Monitor India’s land and maritime boundaries with Pakistan, China, and the Indian Ocean.
- Tri-Services Integration: Enhances situational awareness across Army, Navy, and Air Force.
- Maritime Security: Tracks hostile naval activity and ensures coastal vigilance.
- Counter-Insurgency: Offers tactical support in Naxal-affected or insurgency-prone zones.
- Disaster Response: Assists in mapping and relief during natural calamities.
- Significance:
- Boosts Defence Preparedness: Enhances India’s 24×7 eyes in the sky.
- Reduces Import Burden: Shifts reliance from Israeli imports to Indian tech.
- Fuels Defence Manufacturing: Creates an indigenous drone ecosystem.
