Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has entered into a strategic partnership with US-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to manufacture Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in India for the Indian armed forces. Announced on October 30, 2025, the collaboration aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, focusing on critical technology transfers and indigenous production. L&T will be the prime bidder for the Ministry of Defence’s upcoming programme to acquire 87 MALE RPAS drones, while GA-ASI will provide its combat-proven MQ-series technology, which has extensive global operational experience with millions of flight hours in surveillance and strike missions. This partnership aims to boost India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing, strengthen Indo-US defense ties, and enhance aerospace manufacturing capabilities. It complements a preceding $3.5 billion India-US agreement signed in October 2024 for 31 MQ-9B armed drones, with deliveries expected from 2029 to 2030. L&T Chairman S N Subrahmanyan expressed confidence that the alliance will significantly advance India’s defense capabilities and aerospace technology self-sufficiency, marking a major milestone in building a competitive, globally integrated defense ecosystem in India. The deal underscores India’s strategic shift from import dependence to domestic production of advanced combat drones.