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Wed, 21 Oct 2026
10:10:11 pm
Wed, 21 Oct 2026
10:10:11 pm
Rudransh Sangwan
Published at: July 23, 2026, 11:14 AM
Synopsis
The Ministry of Defence has launched a ₹2,000 crore tender for 10 MALE drones for the Indian Coast Guard, putting HAL, Adani Defence, Tata Group, and Solar Industries in focus. Here's what the project means for defence stocks and India's indigenous drone manufacturing sector.
India's defence sector is back in focus after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) initiated the procurement process for 10 indigenous Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The project, estimated to be worth around ₹2,000 crore, is expected to attract bids from leading Indian defence manufacturers, including Adani Defence, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Tata Group, and Solar Industries India, making these defence stocks closely watched by investors.
The new procurement is part of India's broader push toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing. Beyond this Coast Guard project, the government is also working on a much larger ₹32,000 crore programme to acquire 87 MALE drones for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Companies that secure these contracts could benefit from long-term revenue visibility, stronger order books, and an expanding role in India's indigenous defence ecosystem.
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The Ministry of Defence has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to procure 10 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) for the Indian Coast Guard.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Value | ~₹2,000 Crore |
| Buyer | Indian Coast Guard |
| Number of Drones | 10 MALE RPAs |
| RFI Issued | Around July 15, 2026 |
| Bid Submission Deadline | October 7, 2026 |
| Objective | Maritime surveillance & reconnaissance |
| Company | Why It Is in Focus |
|---|---|
| Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) | Indigenous aerospace and defence manufacturing capabilities |
| Adani Defence | Expanding defence and unmanned systems portfolio |
| Tata Group | Strong defence manufacturing and aerospace business |
| Solar Industries India | Growing presence in defence and drone technologies |
MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) drones operate at altitudes of 10,000–30,000 feet and can remain airborne for 24–48 hours. These unmanned aircraft are primarily used for:
The Indian Coast Guard plans to deploy these drones for:
Apart from the Coast Guard order, the Ministry of Defence is already evaluating a ₹32,000 crore programme to procure 87 MALE drones for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The larger programme is expected to see participation from:
| Likely Participants |
|---|
| HAL |
| Adani Defence |
| Solar Industries India |
| Tata Group |
| Larsen & Toubro (L&T) |
| Raphe MPhibr |
The new drone procurement reinforces India's long-term focus on indigenous defence manufacturing and advanced unmanned aerial systems. Companies participating in these projects could benefit from stronger order inflows, technology development, and long-term government contracts as India modernises its surveillance and border security capabilities.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Coast Guard Order | 10 MALE Drones |
| Estimated Value | ₹2,000 Crore |
| Larger Defence Programme | ₹32,000 Crore |
| Total MALE Drones Planned | 87 (Tri-services) |
| Bid Deadline | October 7, 2026 |
| Major Stocks in Focus | HAL, Adani, Tata, Solar Industries |
These companies are among the likely participants in the Ministry of Defence's ₹2,000 crore MALE drone procurement for the Indian Coast Guard and the larger ₹32,000 crore tri-services drone programme.
MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) drones are unmanned aircraft capable of flying for 24–48 hours at medium altitudes for surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence missions.
The procurement of 10 MALE drones is estimated to be worth around ₹2,000 crore.
The Ministry of Defence is also working on a ₹32,000 crore project to procure 87 indigenous MALE drones for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
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