Defence Stocks in Focus: Adani, HAL, Tata & Solar Industries Eye ₹2,000 Crore MALE Drone Deal

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.

₹2,000 Crore Indian Coast Guard MALE Drone Project

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.

Project Overview

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

Defence Stocks That Could Benefit

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

What Are MALE Drones?

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:

• Intelligence gathering (ISR)
• Maritime surveillance
• Border monitoring
• Reconnaissance missions
• Search and Rescue (SAR) operations
• Real-time satellite-enabled monitoring

How the Coast Guard Will Use These Drones

The Indian Coast Guard plans to deploy these drones for:

• Continuous surveillance of India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
• Monitoring maritime borders near Pakistan
• Security around Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep
• Search and Rescue (SAR) missions
• Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) surveillance using SATCOM-enabled communication

Bigger ₹32,000 Crore Opportunity Ahead

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

Why Investors Should Watch

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.

Key Highlights

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

Why are HAL, Adani and Tata shares in focus?

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.

What are MALE drones?

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.

How much is the Indian Coast Guard drone project worth?

The procurement of 10 MALE drones is estimated to be worth around ₹2,000 crore.

What is the larger defence drone programme?

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.