Moving from drone purchases to drone partnerships

Source: The post “Moving from drone purchases to drone partnerships” has been created based on “Moving from drone purchases to drone partnerships”, published in “The Hindu” on 22nd June 2026.

UPSC Syllabus: GS-3- Science & Technology

Context: India has announced a ₹2 billion drone procurement programme for domestic manufacturers. While this supports indigenous drone production, experts argue that long-term military effectiveness requires a shift from one-time drone purchases to collaborative drone partnerships that ensure continuous upgrades, maintenance, and innovation.

Drones importance for India

1. Drones offer a cost-effective solution for modern military operations.
2. Small tactical drones are significantly cheaper than conventional platforms such as tanks and fighter jets.
3. They are useful for surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strikes.
4. The Russia–Ukraine war demonstrated the extensive military utility of drones.
5. Commercially available drones can be modified for military purposes at relatively low cost.
6. Innovation in civilian drone technology creates a large pool of technology and expertise that can be adapted for defence use.

Economic and strategic advantages of drones

1. India can achieve military objectives at lower costs through drone deployment.
2. Continuous technological advancements make drones increasingly capable.
3. The development of the civilian drone ecosystem strengthens defence innovation.
4. Indigenous manufacturing reduces dependence on imports and strengthens self-reliance.

Challenges in drone procurement

1. Drone technology evolves rapidly, making platforms obsolete quickly.
2. New threats such as electronic warfare (EW) can reduce the effectiveness of existing drones.
3. Frequent software and hardware upgrades are required to maintain operational relevance.
4. Traditional procurement systems are often slow and unsuitable for technologies that evolve continuously.

Limitations of the current procurement framework

1. Under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), procurement follows a “buy-and-use” model.
2. The DAP includes provisions for maintenance, repairs, and upgrades, but these are often insufficient for rapidly evolving drone systems.
3. The framework largely assumes that requirements remain stable over time.
4. Such an approach is not suitable for drone technologies that require constant innovation and adaptation.

Need to move from purchases to partnerships

1. Procurement should focus on long-term service contracts rather than one-time acquisitions.
2. Partnerships can ensure regular maintenance, software updates, and technological improvements.
3. Armed forces can benefit from predictable costs and assured capability upgrades.
4. Continuous collaboration between manufacturers and the military enables faster adaptation to emerging threats.
5. Such arrangements encourage innovation and strengthen the domestic drone ecosystem.

Institutional requirements

1. Existing procurement frameworks should be modified to support long-term contracts.
2. Defence organisations need mechanisms for continuous interaction with private drone companies.
3. India’s drone industry still requires substantial public investment to reach scale.
4. Political commitment is necessary to transform procurement practices from transactional purchases to strategic partnerships.

Conclusion: India’s growing drone ecosystem provides an opportunity to enhance military capabilities in a cost-effective manner. However, the rapid pace of technological change demands a shift from one-time procurement to long-term partnerships that ensure continuous innovation, upgrades, and operational effectiveness. Such a transition will strengthen both national security and the domestic drone industry.

Question: India should move from drone purchases to drone partnerships.” Discuss the rationale behind this shift and examine the challenges associated with drone procurement and innovation in India.

Source: The Hindu