Medium Altitude Long Endurance Drone:
India has accelerated the procurement of 87 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones from local manufacturers.
- MALE drones are Unmanned Aerial Vehicles that have the capability to fly over 30 hours at a maximum altitude of at least 35,000 feet.
- These drones are equipped with advanced surveillance and combat capabilities: including real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) in all kinds of terrain.
- These will enhance surveillance along its sea and land borders.
- Purpose of Medium Altitude Long Endurance Drones: Primarily used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions.
- These drones will enhance the surveillance capabilities of all three services, especially the Indian Air Force to monitor the Eastern and Western Border
- The procurement of 87 drones is aimed at bolstering real-time monitoring and operational readiness across critical areas.
- The 87-drone MALE project serves two parallel aims: fill the medium-altitude tier between smaller tactical UAVs and the high-altitude Guardians, and indigenise a capability so far dominated by Israeli imports.
