HAL, L&T shares in focus amid reports of bids for ₹30,000 crore drone procurement programme

Shares of Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Larsen & Toubro (L&T), among others, are expected to be on investors' radar on Wednesday, June 17, after reports said the Defence Ministry received around 10 bids from Indian public and private sector firms for its over ₹30,000 crore project to procure 87 Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for the Indian Air Force.

What are MALE UAVs?

Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are a type of military drone. MALE drones, as per available reports, are designed to operate at medium altitudes, typically between 10,000 and 30,000 feet, and can remain airborne for long durations—often more than 24 hours.

They are primarily used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), target tracking, border monitoring, and, in some cases, precision strikes.

According to reports, Tuesday was the last date for bid submission, with several Indian defence and aerospace companies participating in the tender for the indigenous UAV programme. The project is aimed at boosting domestic defence manufacturing while enhancing the surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike capabilities of the Indian Air Force.

According to a report by news agency ANI, which quoted defence officials, the firms that have participated in the project include Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, Adani Defence Systems Limited, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Larsen and Toubro, and Raphe mPhibr Ltd.

The mega project was cleared by the defence ministry last year, under which it wants to promote Indian manufacturers to build the drones planned to be used for surveillance and reconnaissance along with the capability to strike targets.

Tuesday, June 16, was the last day for bid submission.

Details to know

The ANI report added that the Defence Ministry extended the bid submission deadline twice to give Indian firms more time to prepare their responses.

Valued at over ₹30,000 crore, the project is aimed at boosting indigenous defence manufacturing and reducing reliance on imported military equipment.

The drones are expected to be equipped with advanced surveillance and combat capabilities, including real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems.

Officials also said plans are underway to integrate indigenous missile systems with the UAVs.

"The armed forces have finalised the specifications for the drones after a comprehensive scientific study, underlining the growing requirement for enhanced surveillance capabilities along India's borders with Pakistan and China. So far, Indian forces have largely depended on foreign suppliers such as the United States and Israel for their drone requirements," the report said.