SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has approached the Ministry of Defence (MoD) seeking approval to work on a High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) UAV program for the Indian Armed Forces. If approved, TASL would become the first private sector company in India to enter a domain traditionally dominated by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), particularly its Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) lab.
In the past, TASL proposed converting the manned Grob G 180 aircraft into an unmanned HALE platform. However, the company now aims to develop a completely new unmanned HALE UAV from scratch. According to sources from idrw.org, TASL intends to incorporate off-the-shelf technologies sourced from both domestic and international players to accelerate development.
This development follows a recent trend where the MoD has allowed private companies to venture into the UAV space. For example, Economic Explosives Limited, part of the Solar Group of Industries, was recently permitted to develop Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAVs for the Armed Forces.
The DRDO’s ADE lab has faced persistent delays and challenges in delivering indigenous MALE UAV platforms, leading the MoD to open this traditionally restricted domain to private players. TASL’s proposal aligns with the government’s broader push to leverage private sector expertise to modernize India’s defence capabilities.
While TASL’s interest signals a significant shift in India’s UAV development ecosystem, it remains unclear whether the company will receive the necessary approval to proceed with the HALE UAV program. A TASL official, speaking to idrw.org, expressed the company’s strong interest in expanding its UAV portfolio, underscoring its commitment to innovation in this critical sector.
If granted approval, TASL’s entry into HALE UAV development could set a precedent for greater private sector involvement in India’s defence projects. This would enhance competition, promote technological innovation, and expedite the delivery of advanced platforms to the Armed Forces.
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