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Army asks Indian companies for report on short-range drones

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By Manu Pubby, ET Bureau | 14 Aug, 2015, 05.48AM IST
Army asks Indian companies for report on short-range drones - The Economic Times

NEW DELHI: The Army has asked Indian companies for information on a new range of short-range drones that it plans to purchase for troops that could provide a major contract for the private sector. While the Army has issued a request for information for mini UAVs this week, the move has thrown a question on a similar Indo-US project that was cleared at the highest political level last year.

In a call out information from Indian vendors, the Army has given an idea of what it requires with the RFP specifying some minimum requirements, including a range of at least 10 km at a complete system weight of less than 35 kg. A massive response is expected from the Indian private sector with most players already having products on the range, either self-developed or assembled with foreign assistance.


However, the sudden RFI, which follows on a similar request made by the Army in 2012, has raised doubts on the future of an Indo-US project announced under the high-profile Defence Trade and Technology Initiative and even discussed between Prime Minister Modi and US president Obama.

The understanding under DTTI was that US firm AeroVironment would tie up with Bangalore-based Dynamatic Technologies to develop a new light unmanned aerial vehicle for tactical reconnaissance.
The recently issued RFI however, indicates that the Army is looking at a broader selection process that could involve Indian companies and not be confined to the DTTI.

"There are several companies in India, many of them at the startup level, which will be keen to participate in the contract. The numbers have not yet been indicated by the Army but are expected to eventually be in the thousands considering the number of troops on ground that require the system," an industry expert said.
 

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