India is moving towards purchasing 97 highly capable drones under the “Make in India” project after choosing to purchase 31 Predator drones from the United States.

According to government officials, “a scientific study was carried out by the defence forces jointly and it has been decided that Indian forces would require 97 such drones for keeping an eye on both land and sea to meet the Medium Altitude Long Endurance requirements.”

The Indian Air Force would be the leading service for the over Rs 10,000 crore purchase of these drones, according to government sources. They will also be receiving the greatest number of these unmanned aerial vehicles, which can fly for close to 30 hours straight.

In addition to the existing fleet of over 46 Heron UAVs that the three forces have acquired over the years in their different fleets, the drones that the forces want to buy would be new additions.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, in collaboration with the original equipment manufacturers, will upgrade the drones already in use through the “Make-in-India” process, which requires them to increase their capabilities using more than 60% Indian content.

India recently made the decision to purchase 31 High Altitude Long Endurance Predator drones, which would be used to monitor a large area of Indian interest.