MALE Class Drones: Capabilities, Payloads and Importance

Context: The Indian government is procuring 87 MALE drones from local manufacturers under the Make in India initiative.

About MALE Class Drones (Medium Altitude Long Endurance)

• MALE class drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that operate at medium altitudes and are capable of long-endurance missions.
• They are designed for real-time surveillance, intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and can be equipped for combat roles.
• Altitude: Operate up to ~35,000 feet.
• Endurance: Can fly continuously for over 30 hours.

Capabilities

• Real-time intelligence and surveillance.
• Reconnaissance over land and sea.
• Can operate in diverse terrains and weather conditions.
• May be armed for strike missions (if equipped).

Payloads

• High-resolution cameras,
• Sensors,
• Communication equipment, and
• Sometimes precision-guided munitions.

Strategic Importance

• Enhance self-reliance in defence.
• Reduce dependence on foreign suppliers (previously sourced from Israel).
• Improve surveillance over Eastern and Western borders.

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