New Delhi: The Indian Army, under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), has formally issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the acquisition of 20 Tactical Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs), marking a significant stride in enhancing the army’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across diverse operational theatres.
These advanced drone platforms are poised to operate in both plains and high-altitude environments, signalling a nuanced defence posture that addresses evolving security challenges along India’s northern and western borders.
What is Indian Army Tactical RPA Programme
On December 26, 2025, the Indian Army, through the MoD, released the RFI for 20 tactical RPAs.
The initiative is designed to assess and finalise Service Qualitative Requirements (SQRs), procurement routes, and identify capable Indian defence vendors that can supply these unmanned systems in alignment with national security and industrial objectives.
The RFI places a balanced emphasis on terrain-adaptable platforms, allocating 10 units for plains operations and 10 for high-altitude/mountainous regions — a clear indication of the Army’s intent to maintain continuous surveillance across frontier lines such as the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Himalayas.
Alignment with “Make in India” & Atmanirbhar Bharat
In keeping with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat defence manufacturing goals, the tactical RPAs and their associated ground support equipment are expected to be sourced from domestic industry partners wherever possible. This supports policy frameworks aimed at boosting strategic autonomy and fostering indigenous defence tech ecosystems.
Industry stakeholders — ranging from established OEMs like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to emerging drone technology firms — are anticipated to participate in this solicitation, potentially positioning India to reduce external dependencies for future tactical ISR systems.
Technical & Operational Expectations for Indian Army Tactical RPA Programme
The requirements outlined in the RFI mandate that the tactical RPAs be fully operational day and night across varied weather and terrain conditions commonly encountered on the Indian subcontinent.
Environmental & Performance Criteria
The RPAs are expected to:
- Operate in high-altitude winds up to 60 knots and plain winds up to 30 knots.
- Endure rainfall intensities up to 20 mm/hour and gusts up to 10 knots during take-off and landing.
- Function effectively within non-thunderous cloud conditions to ensure mission continuity.
Modular Architecture & Multi-Payload Capability of Indian Army Tactical RPA Programme
A key design criterion is a modular and scalable architecture, enabling rapid future upgrades with minimal subsystem modification. Each RPA platform should support simultaneous carriage of multiple payloads, allowing for diverse mission configurations.
Expected payload categories include:
- Electro-Optical / Infra-Red (EO/IR) sensors for high-resolution imaging.
- Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) and Communications Intelligence (COMINT) sensors.
- Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for all-weather imaging.
- Foliage Penetration (FOPEN) radar and communication relay systems.
Operational Value of Indian Army Tactical RPA Programme
Tactical RPAs play an increasingly pivotal role in contemporary battlefields by providing persistent ISR coverage, rapid deployment without runway dependency, and enhanced situational awareness for tactical commanders.
Their mobility and modular payload options make these systems effective in:
- Border surveillance and monitoring.
- Counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
- High-altitude warfare environments.
- Real-time battlefield mapping and electronic surveillance.
In recent years, the Army has expanded its unmanned aerial assets, including the creation of 380 ASHNI platoons — infantry support units trained in operating ISR and loitering munition platforms. The new tactical RPAs will further enhance this layered drone ecosystem.
Integration with Broader Modernisation Strategy
The issuance of this RFI dovetails with the Indian Army’s Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR) 2025, which emphasises high-altitude surveillance forces and the integration of unmanned platforms into multi-domain operations.
As defence priorities evolve in the face of dynamic security challenges — particularly along mountainous frontiers shared with China and Pakistan — the timely acquisition of these tactical drones is expected to play a vital role in strengthening India’s ISR architecture and operational readiness.
Next Steps: From RFI to Deployment
Following the RFI phase, the Indian Army will progress to:
1. Expression of Interest (EoI) issuance.
2. Comprehensive trials and evaluations of proposed systems.
3. Final vendor selection and contract awards.
Timelines may be influenced by strategic considerations and threats along critical borders, with possibilities for accelerated procurement if required.
