The Indian Army has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Raghu Vamsi Par East Automation Pvt Ltd to accelerate the development and deployment of indigenous drones. The agreement was formalized by 515 Army Base Workshop (515 ABW), acting on behalf of the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army) and the Directorate General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers.

The partnership is aimed at fast-tracking drone capabilities for Army land operations, with a focus on IC engine-based drones and GPS-denied navigation systems. Raghu Vamsi Par East Automation will provide technical consultancy to 515 ABW, supporting comprehensive evaluation of drone technologies, subsystem integration, and compliance with Army standards.

Under the MoU, 515 ABW will route need-based requests for manufacturing trials, validation, and certification support to the private firm, ensuring that new systems meet the Army’s interoperability, safety, and quality requirements. The collaboration is expected to significantly shorten the time taken for drones to move from development to field deployment.

Officials said the initiative strengthens indigenous technological capability, reduces dependence on imports for critical unmanned systems, and aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. The model is also designed to be replicable for future projects, allowing the Army to integrate advanced drone solutions efficiently. Analysts view this as a step forward in enhancing operational readiness while promoting self-reliance in defence technology.