Why in NEWS
India is accelerating the procurement of 87 indigenously developed Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones under the Make in India initiative. This is aimed at reducing dependence on Israeli imports and enhancing Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across its sea and land borders.
Key Terms & Concepts Simplified
| Key Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| MALE Drones | Medium Altitude Long Endurance drones that can fly at 10,000–35,000 feet for extended durations (30+ hours), mainly used for ISR. |
| ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) | Activities conducted to collect and process information about enemy movements or environments for defence purposes. |
| Make in India | A government initiative launched in 2014 to encourage manufacturing within India and reduce import dependency. |
| DRDO | Defence Research and Development Organisation – India’s premier defence R&D agency responsible for developing indigenous defence technologies. |
Key Details from the News
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| What is happening? | India is procuring 87 MALE drones with over 60% indigenous content. |
| Who is involved? | Indian private defence manufacturers are being tasked for the first time. |
| Purpose | To replace foreign drones (primarily Israeli) and strengthen India’s surveillance and security. |
| Specifications | 30+ hours of endurance, altitude up to 35,000 feet, for both land and maritime ISR. |
Indigenous Drones by DRDO
| Drone | Purpose/Feature |
|---|---|
| Lakshya | Target drone for training and reconnaissance; rocket-launched. |
| Nishant | Surveillance, artillery correction; day/night capable UAV. |
| Rustom-1 | 800 kg SR-RPAS for ISR and target acquisition. |
| TAPAS/Rustom-2 | MALE UAV for ISTAR roles; extended flight endurance. |
| Archer | Weaponized UAV for short-range ISR and low-intensity conflicts. |
In a Nutshell
Mnemonic: “LNA RT” – Lakshya, Nishant, Archer, Rustom-1, TAPAS
India’s push for “Local, Nimble, Agile” drone tech via DRDO and private defence sector.
Prelims Practice Questions
1. Consider the following statements about TAPAS (Rustom-2):
- It is a High Altitude Long Endurance drone developed by HAL.
- It is primarily designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR).
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
2. Which of the following drones are indigenously developed by DRDO?
- Lakshya
- Nishant
- Heron
- TAPAS
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2, and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. All of the above
3. What best defines the role of MALE drones in the Indian Armed Forces?
A. They are used for commercial package delivery.
B. They monitor civilian land disputes.
C. They provide extended ISR in high-risk terrains.
D. They are primarily used for high-speed combat air patrols.
Prelims Answers & Explanations
| Qn | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 only | TAPAS is a DRDO-developed MALE drone, not HAL. It is designed for ISTAR roles. |
| 2 | B | Lakshya, Nishant, and TAPAS are developed by DRDO. Heron is an Israeli drone. |
| 3 | C | MALE drones are built to offer extended surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in difficult terrains. |
