Indian Army Signs ₹137 Crore Contract With ideaForge For Indigenous Surveillance Drones

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In a significant boost to India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capability, the Indian Army has signed a ₹137 crore deal with Mumbai-based drone manufacturer ideaForge. The contract, awarded under the emergency procurement procedure, is for the supply of advanced Mini UAV systems specially designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.

These drones, known for their role during Operation Sindoor, were tested in live combat-like scenarios and proved their efficiency in high-stakes battlefield conditions. ideaForge’s hybrid Mini UAV is a fixed-wing Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) system capable of deployment in complex and rugged terrains. The platform will be delivered to the Indian Army within the next 12 months to address immediate operational requirements.

The procurement follows a rigorous selection process, where performance, cybersecurity, and supply chain integrity were primary evaluation criteria. The defence ministry’s clear directive to limit foreign dependency, particularly from border-sharing countries, played a decisive role during the evaluation. Components of Chinese origin have been repeatedly flagged by India’s defence leadership as serious vulnerabilities in sensitive deployments.

To align with this strategic concern, ideaForge ensured all critical subsystems were sourced from nations not sharing land borders with India. The hybrid UAVs were subjected to two layers of scrutiny by high-level technical panels. These committees examined and dismantled each system, both physically and digitally, to confirm their security architecture and verify the source of every key component.

The UAV has already secured the prestigious ‘Fit for Indian Military Use’ certification from the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA). This certification guarantees that the system adheres to the highest standards of reliability, resilience, and combat-readiness.

During Operation Sindoor, the UAVs played a crucial role in providing real-time intelligence and surveillance to frontline commanders. Their performance during this high-tempo military operation validated their robustness, autonomy, and utility for tactical ISR missions.

Ankit Mehta, CEO and co-founder of ideaForge, expressed pride in the company’s achievement. He highlighted the importance of building UAVs in India that not only meet military standards but also perform under extreme conditions. Mehta reiterated the company’s vision of supporting India’s security ecosystem with technology that is both homegrown and mission-capable.

This order is part of the sixth phase of the Ministry of Defence’s emergency procurement initiative. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh recently confirmed that a ₹40,000 crore drive had been launched in May to accelerate delivery of essential combat platforms, ammunition, and surveillance systems identified post-Operation Sindoor.

The decision to include ideaForge’s UAVs in this procurement marks a significant milestone for India’s growing private defence sector. It also sends a clear message that future military procurements will prioritize security, self-reliance, and indigenous innovation over low-cost imports.

With this move, India reinforces its resolve to equip its armed forces with secure, battle-tested, and self-reliant technology.

Written by Defence Expert.