New RFI from Indian Army to acquire 60 short-range UAVs.

The Indian Army has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for 60 short range Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to be developed and manufactured in India by the private industry based on proven technology.

Indian-made RUSTOM II, Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE)drone. (Source picture Initiate India )

As per the specifications given, the UAV would be used for aerial surveillance over a large area by day and night for a sustained period and should have an altitude ceiling of 20,000 feet and a range of 200 km with a minimum endurance of 10 hours. It needs to have a service life of 20 years.

The last date for response is two months from the date of issue of the Request for Proposal to the selected vendors. The requirement is for 60 systems along with associated payloads and ground support equipment to be delivered within 24 months from the day of signing the contract.

The Indian Army is in the process of inducting a range of tactical UAVs to augment the surveillance capabilities of its ground forces.

Defense Industry of India has already developed local-made UAVs as the Rustom (Warrior in English), a Medium Altitude Long Endurance unmanned air vehicle (UAV) being developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the three services, Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force of the Indian Armed Forces. 

Currently, the Indian Armed Forces use five types of drones including the Indian-made Nishant and Rustom, Heron Harpy and Searcher from Israel.