India joins European MALE drone project as observer country
India joined the Eurodrone program as an observer country, the European Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) announced on January 21, 2025.
The Government of India submitted an official request on August 27, 2024, to become an OCCAR Observer State in the Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (MALE RPAS) program, commonly referred to as Eurodrone or Euromale.
This request was subsequently approved, with a Letter of Approval presented to the Indian Ambassador to Germany Ajit Gupte by OCCAR-EA Director Joachim Sucker, during a ceremony at the Indian Embassy in Berlin.
India’s Observer Status marks the initiation of what OCCAR envisions as a “long, fruitful, and mutually beneficial cooperation” between the European defense consortium and one of Asia’s key geopolitical players.
Japan was also accepted as an OCCAR Observer State in the Eurodrone program in November 2023.
In February 2024, India secured an order for up to 31 General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones from the United States.
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About the Eurodrone program
Initiated in 2015, the Eurodrone project is a collaboration aimed at developing a European MALE drone primarily for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. It is developed by Airbus Defence and Space Spain, Dassault Aviation and Leonardo, and aims to meet the defense requirements of Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.
The drone is expected to have an estimated mass of 10 tons, a payload capacity of 2,300 kilograms, a wingspan of 26 meters, a length of 16 meters, and a height of six meters. It will be powered by two ‘Catalyst’ turboprop engines provided by Avio Aero, the Italian subsidiary of General Electric (GE).
In May 2024, the participants completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of the concept. The assessment included a range of technical evaluations, such as wind tunnel testing to confirm the aircraft’s aerodynamic configuration, comprehensive design assessments to guarantee operational capabilities and the validation of a digital twin. Production of the drone is expected to start by the end of the 2020s.
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The development of the Eurodrone has faced several challenges since it began. These challenges include concerns about its cost, the allocation of tasks among manufacturers, and its relevance and competitiveness compared to rivals, particularly the industry standard, the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper drone. The post India joins European MALE drone project as observer country appeared first on AeroTime.
India joined the Eurodrone program as an observer country, the European Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) announced…
The post India joins European MALE drone project as observer country appeared first on AeroTime.
