New Delhi, July 22 (ANI): As India’s defense forces continue expanding their surveillance capabilities through the induction of unmanned systems, the Ministry of Defence has initiated the process to procure 10 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) remotely piloted aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard.
The drones are intended to enhance surveillance of India’s maritime boundaries, including areas along the Pakistan border and other strategic waters.
“The Ministry of Defence, Government of India, intends to procure ten (10) Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) for use by the Indian Coast Guard,” the ministry said in a Request for Information (RFI) issued around July 15.
According to the ministry, the MALE drones will be operated by the Coast Guard’s Aviation Wing to support search-and-rescue (SAR) missions and enhance the safety and security of mariners within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which extends 200 nautical miles from the coastline, as well as the Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR), which stretches up to 1,000 nautical miles in certain areas.
The ministry is also processing a separate ₹32,000 crore (approximately $3.8 billion) program to procure 87 MALE drones for the Indian Air Force, Army, and Navy. Major Indian defense companies, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Adani Defence, Solar Industries, Raphe mPhibr, Larsen & Toubro, and Tata are expected to compete for upcoming drone contracts.
The Indian Coast Guard currently relies on Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft and helicopters for aerial operations. The proposed acquisition would mark the first deployment of large MALE drones by the service for surveillance and search-and-rescue missions.
The Coast Guard is seeking the drones to meet its growing requirement for beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) surveillance and reconnaissance. Satellite communication (SATCOM)-enabled MALE drones are expected to provide persistent surveillance along India’s land and maritime borders.
Prospective bidders have until Oct. 7 to submit their proposals.
The Indian Coast Guard plays a key role in monitoring India’s maritime boundary with Pakistan, particularly along the Gujarat coast, while also combating illegal activities across the eastern seaboard and around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep archipelago. (ANI)
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