Eye on China, Army orders more high-altitude surveillance drones

Made-in-India high-altitude drones are assisting the Indian Army in keeping an eye on China. The Army has placed a fresh order for drones made by 'ideaForge', a firm founded in 2017 by IIT Bombay alumni. The firm is a licensed manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles approved by the Ministry of Defence. In January 2021, the Army signed a $20mn contract for 'SWITCH' drones and mandated delivery within one year. In November 2021, PM Modi handed over drones to the Army, marking on-time execution of the high-value contract. Now, a new contract has been signed with an aim to further enhance surveillance along the LAC.