Indian Army Orders Rs 137 Crore ideaForge Drones After Operation Sindoor Success
ideaForge has inked a major contract for provision of drones that proved their mettle in Operation Sindoor. Image courtesy: ideaForge
In a major boost to domestic defence manufacturing, Mumbai-based drone maker ideaForge Technology has secured a Rs 137 crore emergency order from the Indian Army for its hybrid mini unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The procurement was confirmed by the company on June 24.
The fast-track deal, aimed at meeting urgent operational requirements, follows the successful deployment of these drones during Operation Sindoor, the May 2025 cross-border operation conducted by the Indian armed forces against Pakistan.
“ideaForge Technology has secured a significant win through the emergency procurement route. The order, valued at approximately Rs 137 crore, has been placed by the Indian Army for its high-performance hybrid Mini UAV systems,” the company said in the statement.
What do these Mini UAVs do?
The company statement said the hybrid Mini UAVs play a key role by providing real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) in challenging terrains. It said these drones are already battle-tested and inducted into the Army’s inventory for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) operations.
These VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) drones combine the endurance of fixed-wing aircraft with the agility of quadcopters, eliminating the need for runways.
The Indian Army’s decision to procure them underlines a growing emphasis on indigenous high-tech systems that enhance battlefield awareness and tactical advantage.
Did the Mini UAVs pass the MoD’s stringent tests?
A critical stipulation of this emergency procurement was that no core components of the drones be sourced from countries sharing a land border with India, a clear reference to China.
The drone maker passed rigorous inspections by two separate technical teams to verify the origin of every part of its hybrid Mini UAVs.
The drones are already certified “Fit for Indian Military Use” by the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA), having met stringent durability and performance standards.
This order is scheduled for completion within 12 months and falls under the Defence Ministry’s emergency procurement rules, which allow acquisitions worth up to 15% of the defence modernisation budget.
With a cap of Rs 24,000 crore for 2025-26 for emergency purchases, such quick buys reflect India’s sharpened focus on warfighting readiness amid heightened border tensions.
