The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the procurement of 87 indigenous Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) for the Indian Armed Forces, significantly enhancing India’s unmanned aerial system capabilities. This initiative, part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aims to bolster self-reliance and reduce dependence on imports. Key contenders include VEDA Aeronautics, Tata Advanced Systems, and others, proposing advanced platforms capable of multiple payloads and real-time surveillance. The MALE RPAs are expected to serve as critical assets for various operations, thereby improving operational readiness and combat efficiency across diverse terrains.