L&T, GA-ASI Partner to Build Advanced Combat Drones in India

• L&T and GA-ASI to manufacture MALE RPAS in India
• Focus on local production and technology transfer under Make in India
• Strengthens India’s defence base and Indo-US collaboration

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and the American company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) have formed a strategic alliance aimed at producing Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in India for the military.

L&T will act as the main offeror of the Ministry of Defence’s 87 MALE RPAS project, with GA-ASI supplying technology support, as per the pact. This cooperation will result in the local manufacturing of MQ-series RPAS by GA-ASI, which have been used in surveillance and strike operations with millions of flight hours across the world.

The L&T GA-ASI partnership will boost combat drones India production, advancing defence manufacturing, Make in India initiatives, and unmanned aerial vehicles development in military technology and drone production.

The companies' announcements indicated that the strategic partnership will mainly be in the areas of totally domestic production and main technology transfers, thus contributing to the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.

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S N Subrahmanyan, Chairman & Managing Director, L&T stated, "This partnership offers India a unique opportunity to manufacture state-of-the-art unmanned platforms indigenously".

He added, "We are proud to join hands with GA-ASI, a recognised world leader in this domain, and are confident that this alliance will significantly enhance India’s defence capabilities and advance self-reliance in aerospace technologies".

Vivek Lall, the Chief Executive Officer of General Atomics Global Corporation, indicated that the alliance is a manifestation of GA-ASI's commitment to the local manufacturing industry.

He added, "By combining GA-ASI’s proven technology with L&T’s robust manufacturing expertise, we aim to deliver cutting-edge MALE RPAS solutions that will enhance the operational readiness of the Indian armed forces and contribute to a strong, sustainable defence ecosystem in India".

The collaboration is anticipated to strengthen not only the Indian defense sector but also the ties between India and the U.S. in defense and the creation of a more sophisticated aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.