India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) on December 24, 2025 (Ref: ADE/MMD/EOI-03/HALE-RPAS/25-26), seeking Indian vendors as Development-cum-Production Partners (DcPP) for a 6-ton class High Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (HALE-RPAS). This indigenous UAV, featuring a 25m wingspan, pusher turboprop, 2,000kg payload, and 40,000ft altitude capability, targets ISTAR and strike missions akin to the MQ-9 Reaper. A pre-bid meeting is set for January 9, 2026, with bids closing January 28 and opening January 29 at ADE Bengaluru. From an Indian strategic perspective, the DcPP model accelerates self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat, curtails foreign imports amid LAC tensions with China, enhances border surveillance, and positions India for UAV exports in South Asia.