{"id":77471,"date":"2026-06-20T17:41:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T12:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=77471"},"modified":"2026-06-20T17:43:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T12:13:20","slug":"drone-partnerships-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/editorial-analysis\/20-06-2026\/drone-partnerships-india","title":{"rendered":"Moving From Drone Purchases To Drone Partnerships"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Defence Technology; Internal Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>India\u2019s recent $2 billion<\/strong> procurement of <strong>military drones from <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/20-03-2026\/drone-manufacturing-india\"><strong>domestic manufacturers<\/strong><\/a> marks a significant milestone in the country\u2019s defence modernisation and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) agenda and strengthens indigenous manufacturing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Drones\/UAVs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/19-02-2026\/indias-drone-ecosystem\">Drones <\/a>or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are aircraft without a pilot onboard. They can be remotely controlled or operate autonomously using technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), GPS, sensors and communication systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Applications:<\/strong> Surveillance and reconnaissance, Border surveillance, Precision strikes, Logistics and supply delivery, Disaster management and emergency response, Agricultural monitoring and mapping.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Drones in Modern Warfare<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cost-Efficient Force Multipliers:<\/strong> Drones are able to carry out tasks that are typically done using highly priced combat aircraft and weapon systems at a much lower cost.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, <strong>First-Person View (FPV) <\/strong><strong>drones used in the Russia-Ukraine<\/strong> war can successfully knock down million-dollar armoured fighting vehicles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Improved Situational Awareness:<\/strong> Improved real-time ISR helps make decisions on the battlefield.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Precision and Lower Risks:<\/strong> It is possible to carry out precision strikes through drones without putting the lives of the soldiers at risk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Electronic Warfare and Adaptable Systems:<\/strong> Jamming and electronic attacks take place in modern battlefields.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The drone systems must be upgraded constantly in order to be operative.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Innovative Cycle:<\/strong> The development process of drone technology occurs within months and needs flexible procurement policies rather than conventional defences which can stay the same for decades.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/19-02-2026\/indias-drone-ecosystem\"><strong>India\u2019s Domestic Drone Industry<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Developing Manufacturing:<\/strong> More than 600 drone and parts manufacturers exist and more than 100 companies are producing military drones.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Start-ups are increasingly taking part in the designing and software, sensor and analytics development of drones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Interconnected Civilian-Military Innovation:<\/strong> Developments in surveying, mapping, logistics, disaster management and agriculture often have military applications too.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emerging Applications:<\/strong> India Post\u2019s cooperation with Skye Air to use drones in logistics for difficult terrains.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Agricultural spraying and crop monitoring are performed in government-sponsored projects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inspection of infrastructure and disaster operations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges in the Drone Ecosystem<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Procurement System based on Transactional Approach:<\/strong> Currently procurement in the defence sector is more or less transactional.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When there is a need for something then there is an issuance of tender and purchase of that particular product.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>While good for static technologies, the model does not suit dynamic and fast-moving drones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Slowly Moving Process of Upgradation: <\/strong>Effective deployment of drones requires upgradation of their software, sensors, and communication aspects.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The procurement system usually finds it difficult to keep pace with these developments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vulnerability to Electronic Warfare:<\/strong> There are some emerging threats like GPS spoofing, jamming, etc which necessitate continuous changes in drones&#8217; systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Less Visibility in Long-term Demand for Products: <\/strong>Manufacturers find it difficult to predict orders and therefore lack incentive to invest in research &amp; development and production capacities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dependence on Key Components: <\/strong>The issue of India\u2019s inability to produce advanced sensors, semiconductors, communication devices and propulsions systems domestically continues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Initiatives and Efforts Related to the Drone Ecosystem in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Drone Rules, 2021:<\/strong> It has simplified the regulatory regime by lowering compliance barriers, digitalizing approvals, widening scope of use and developing an industry-friendly environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: <\/strong>The PLI scheme for drones and drones components will boost domestic production, enhance international competitiveness, draw investments and innovations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Defence Acquisition Reforms:<\/strong> The proposed Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) will facilitate procurement of COTS systems, thus allowing the armed forces to procure commercial drones easily.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) provides the necessary funding for upgrade and maintenance too.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drone Shakti Programme: <\/strong>This programme is meant for promoting DrAAS through promoting startups, increasing agricultural applications and making domestic components.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Civilian Applications Expansion:<\/strong> Various government departments are using drones extensively for governance and service delivery. These include:<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mapping Under SVAMITVA Scheme:<\/strong> Agriculture Monitoring; Disaster Management; Delivery of logistics and health care; and Use of drones for delivery of parcels by India Post in rural areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence:<\/strong> The overall strategy of the government towards indigenisation will encourage domestic design and development, manufacture, import substitution and collaboration between public and private sectors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Namo Drone Didi Initiative: <\/strong>The programme will promote the use of drones by women-led self help groups for agricultural purpose, thus increasing civilian applications and demand for manufacturing of drones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead: A Path toward the Partnership-Based Procurement Approach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Managed Service Approach:<\/strong> Rather than buying the drones as a commodity, the military can engage in long-term contracts with the suppliers involving:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Maintenance and lifecycle support<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Software and firmware updates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parts replacement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ongoing improvement of capabilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quick response to any new threats<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Guaranteed Availability and Rapid Production Capability:<\/strong> Long-term contracts will ensure predictable demand on behalf of manufacturers while providing the military with rapid scaling up in emergencies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Innovation Support Structure:<\/strong> Joint work of the military and industrial sector will allow for prompt feedback, testing and implementation of innovations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Procurement Approach Based on Capability: <\/strong>The key point is not to purchase the equipment, but to support the capability throughout the lifetime of the system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background has-fixed-layout\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Daily Mains Practice Question<\/strong><br><strong>[Q] <\/strong>Examine the need to shift from a transaction-based procurement model to a partnership-based procurement framework. Discuss the benefits, challenges, and policy measures required to strengthen India&#8217;s defence preparedness.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/op-ed\/moving-from-drone-purchases-to-drone-partnerships\/article71123226.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Published on:<\/strong> 20 June, 2026<\/p>\n<p>India\u2019s recent $2 billion procurement of military drones from domestic manufacturers marks a significant milestone in the country\u2019s defence modernisation and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) agenda and strengthens indigenous manufacturing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":77473,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-77471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorial-analysis"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/06\/moving-from-drone-purchases-to-drone-partnerships.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77471","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77471"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77471\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":77472,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77471\/revisions\/77472"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77473"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}