VEDA Aeronautics shows a MALE drone design as it bids for India's 87-drone programme

Delhi-based VEDA Aeronautics has shown what may be its design for a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone in its Diwali card, as it competes in India's programme to buy 87 MALE drones. The company has given no technical details.

The image shows a large drone with a long straight wing, a central fuselage, conventional landing gear and what looks like an electro-optical turret under the nose. It is not clear whether this is the turboprop design with provisions for air-to-surface weapons that VEDA released in 2025, an upgrade of it or a new design.

India's requirement for 87 MALE drones is worth more than Rs 30,000 crore and is open to Indian companies offering their own designs or teaming with established drone makers. Reports in June 2026 said about ten bids had come in by the deadline, from companies including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen & Toubro, Adani Defence Systems, Solar Defence and Aerospace and Raphe mPhibr.