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SOURCE: AFI

In a landmark achievement for India’s defense sector, Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research & Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (NRT) has successfully delivered the first batch of its cutting-edge Tether Drone Solutions to the Indian Army. This delivery, announced on May 17, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the Army’s first-ever large-scale Tether Drone contract, secured through the Fast Track Procurement (FTP) mechanism.

The induction of these advanced tethered drones underscores India’s growing prowess in indigenous defense technology and strengthens the Army’s surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities, particularly in high-altitude and border areas.

The Tether Drone Solutions, specifically the Nimbus Scope model, are designed to provide persistent surveillance and operational efficiency in diverse terrains, including super high-altitude areas (SHAA). Unlike traditional drones, tethered drones are anchored to a ground-based station via a flexible cable that supplies continuous power and secure communications. This allows them to hover at altitudes of up to 200 feet for extended periods—capable of operating for at least six hours in tethered mode and approximately 45 minutes in untethered mode—offering uninterrupted real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

Equipped with best-in-class electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) sensors, the drones provide high-resolution imagery and enhanced situational awareness, making them ideal for border control, tactical overwatch, and monitoring beyond-line-of-sight targets. Their ability to carry payloads such as cameras and radios further amplifies their utility in challenging environments like the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The Indian Army has emphasized that these systems will significantly enhance its operational preparedness.

The contract for 130 tethered drones, valued at approximately ?250 crore (around $30 million), was awarded to NRT in August 2023 under the Indian Army’s Emergency Procurement (EP) powers, specifically through the Fast Track Procurement process. This mechanism, introduced after the 2016 Uri terror attack, allows the armed forces to procure critical equipment up to ?300 crore on an urgent basis, bypassing lengthy bureaucratic processes to address imminent operational needs. The FTP route reflects the Army’s urgency to bolster its technological capabilities amid heightened regional tensions, particularly along the LAC.

The contract, initiated by the Armoured Branch of the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence in January 2023, mandated a minimum of 60% indigenous content, aligning with the government’s “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives. NRT’s rapid delivery of the first batch within the stipulated 12-month timeline demonstrates its engineering prowess and commitment to meeting the Army’s stringent requirements.

Founded by Indian Air Force veteran Sameer Joshi, NRT has emerged as a leader in India’s aerospace and defense R&D ecosystem. The Bengaluru-based startup specializes in next-generation unmanned aerial systems, collective robotics, and artificial intelligence, catering to both military and civilian applications. Its collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on programs like the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) and air-launched cruise missiles highlights its growing influence in the defense sector.

NRT’s tethered drones are a testament to India’s technological advancements in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The company’s earlier delivery of 100 swarm drones (Beluga and Nimbus Mk-III models) to the Indian Army in March 2023, under a $15 million fast-track contract, made the Army the first major armed force globally to operationalize high-density swarm UAVs. The successful execution of the tethered drone contract further cements NRT’s reputation as a reliable partner in India’s defense modernization.

The induction of tethered drones is a strategic step in modernizing the Indian Army’s intelligence and surveillance capabilities. Their ability to operate in extreme conditions, such as high-altitude areas, addresses critical operational gaps, particularly in contested regions like Eastern Ladakh. The drones’ persistent ISR capabilities provide a force multiplier effect, enabling real-time decision-making and enhancing survivability in multi-mission deployments.

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