India has taken a major step in its defence cooperation with Europe by formally joining the Eurodrone program as an observer state. On January 21, 2025, the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) issued this announcement, which demonstrates India’s dedication to strengthening its aerial surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities through global collaboration.
India will be represented in the Eurodrone program by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), which is a division of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The significance of ADE in developing India’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology and incorporating international best practices into domestic initiatives is emphasised by this function.
India has access to technical details about the Eurodrone program as an observer, but it is not involved in the design or development decision-making process. With this status, India can investigate possible future UAV technological collaborations while also learning from European developments.
Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) long-endurance missions are the emphasis of the Eurodrone, also called the Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (MALE RPAS). It has a 26-meter wingspan, a 2.3-ton payload capacity, and an anticipated 40-hour flight time at altitudes of up to 45,000 feet.
India’s involvement in the Eurodrone program is consistent with its larger defence strategy, which aims to lessen dependency on individual suppliers, including the U.S. MQ-9B drone. India hopes to improve its defence capabilities and build closer ties with important European countries by broadening its technical alliances.
Discussions on UAV capabilities and safety standards within the Eurodrone framework are expected to be facilitated by India’s observer status. Full operational capability is anticipated in 2029, with the first prototype flight anticipated by mid-2027. In addition to improving India’s defence technological landscape, this participation places the country strategically within the changing dynamics of international defence cooperation.
