SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, a dynamic arm of Solar Industries, has thrown its hat into the ring of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) development, announcing ambitious plans to design and build Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) and High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) class UAVs using its own funding.
This bold move, backed by the Indian Military—particularly the Indian Army—positions Solar Defence as a formidable challenger to the Defence Research and Development Organization’s (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), which has faced persistent setbacks in delivering operational MALE UAVs. With a clear understanding of the military’s technical needs and a pragmatic approach to development, Solar Defence is poised to reshape India’s UAV landscape and accelerate the nation’s pursuit of aerial autonomy.
The Rustom-2 (now Tapas BH-201), for instance, aimed to operate at 30,000 feet with a 24-hour endurance but has been plagued by delays, weight issues, and engine performance shortfalls. As of early 2025, it remains in the testing phase, with no clear timeline for production—a frustration for the military, which relies heavily on imported platforms like Israel’s Heron UAVs.
Enter Solar Defence, which has seized this opportunity to step into the breach. According to officials cited by idrw.org, the company is “fully aware” of the Indian Military’s expectations and is tailoring its UAV program to deliver tangible results. The Indian Army’s backing underscores confidence in Solar’s ability to succeed where ADE has struggled, reflecting a broader shift toward empowering private industry to drive defense innovation under the “Make in India” framework.
Solar Defence’s initial focus is a MALE-class UAV designed to meet the military’s core operational demands. The company aims to develop a platform capable of flying above 30,000 feet and sustaining missions for 28-30 hours—specifications that align with the needs of modern surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat support roles. This UAV will target a niche currently underserved by indigenous options, offering a cost-effective alternative to foreign systems while enhancing India’s strategic autonomy.
While detailed specifications are still under refinement, Solar Defence plans to unveil a prototype concept once it receives formal clearance from the Army, a milestone expected soon given the military’s enthusiastic support. Unlike ADE’s top-down approach, Solar is adopting a pragmatic strategy, blending in-house innovation with proven off-the-shelf technologies. The company intends to procure turbo-prop engines from established international manufacturers—potentially firms like Pratt & Whitney Canada or Honeywell—while sourcing sensors, avionics, and other subsystems from DRDO labs and private-sector partners. This hybrid model aims to accelerate development timelines and ensure reliability, leveraging global expertise without compromising indigenous control.
Beyond the MALE UAV, Solar Defence has set its sights on the more challenging HALE category—UAVs capable of operating above 50,000 feet with endurance exceeding 36 hours. Such platforms, akin to the U.S. MQ-9, are critical for long-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, particularly along India’s contested borders with China and Pakistan. While the MALE UAV is the immediate priority, the HALE ambition signals Solar’s intent to compete at the highest levels of aerospace technology, potentially positioning India as a future exporter of advanced UAVs.
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