Key Highlights
- L and T partners with US-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for MALE RPAS manufacturing in India
- Partnership to support India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ defence initiatives
- L and T to be the prime bidder for the Ministry of Defence’s 87 MALE RPAS program
- GA-ASI to serve as technology partner, transferring critical drone technology to India
- Collaboration aims to strengthen India’s self-reliance in aerospace and defence manufacturing
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has announced a strategic partnership with the US-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to manufacture Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in India for the Indian armed forces.
Under this agreement, L&T will serve as the prime bidder for the Ministry of Defence’s upcoming 87 MALE RPAS programme, while GA-ASI will act as the technology partner. The collaboration will focus on building combat-proven MQ-series RPAS platforms domestically, aligning with India’s push for indigenous defence manufacturing under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.
GA-ASI brings extensive operational experience in advanced unmanned aerial systems, while L&T contributes its engineering, precision manufacturing, and system integration expertise. Together, they aim to deliver high-end unmanned platforms fully manufactured in India, incorporating key technology transfers to boost local capabilities.
S.N. Subrahmanyan, Chairman and Managing Director of L&T, said the partnership presents India with a unique opportunity to produce state-of-the-art unmanned aircraft indigenously. He emphasized that the collaboration would enhance India’s defence capabilities and advance self-reliance in aerospace technologies.
Dr. Vivek Lall, Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation, highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting India’s vision for indigenous manufacturing. He noted that combining GA-ASI’s proven drone technologies with L&T’s production expertise would strengthen India’s defence readiness and foster a sustainable aerospace ecosystem.
The partnership marks a major milestone in India’s journey toward a self-reliant defence sector, while deepening Indo-US collaboration in advanced aerospace and defence manufacturing.