INDIA JOINS EURODRONE PROGRAM AS OBSERVER
Introduction:
- India has officially become an observer state in the €7.1 billion Eurodrone programme, also known as the Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (MALE RPAS).
- This initiative is managed by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) and led by Airbus Defence and Space, based in Taufkirchen, Germany.
BACKGROUND OF INDIA’S PARTICIPATION
- Request Date: India made a formal request to join the Eurodrone programme in August 2024.
- Acceptance Date: India’s participation as an observer was approved just before Aero India 2025, Asia’s largest military aviation exhibition held in Bangalore.
- Current Status: India joins as an observer state, which allows it to contribute to technical discussions and gain access to expertise, but without full participation in decision-making or production.
KEY POINTS
The Eurodrone programme is a major defense project led by European countries aiming to develop advanced remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS).
Participating Countries and Organizations
- Primary Nations Involved: Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.
- Lead Entity: Airbus Defence and Space (Germany).
- Subcontractors:
- Leonardo (Italy)
- Dassault Aviation (France)
- Airbus (Spain)
- Managing Organization: Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), based in Bonn, Germany.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
- Primary Use: Eurodrone will be designed for various long-endurance missions, including:
- Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR)
- Maritime Surveillance
- Anti-Submarine Warfare
- Airborne Early Warning
- Sovereignty: The Eurodrone is conceived as a “European Programme for European Sovereignty,” aiming to reduce reliance on non-European platforms.
- Endurance and Flight Time: The drone can stay airborne for up to 40 hours, which provides superior endurance compared to existing systems.
CAPABILITIES OF EURODRONE
- Payload Capacity: The drone can carry a maximum payload of 3 tonnes.
- Design: The aircraft is equipped with a twin-engine configuration to ensure reliability and safety in various environmental conditions, including severe weather.
- Operational Features:
- Designed to operate safely in non-segregated airspace (i.e., airspace that is not restricted for military or other specific uses).
- Secure Communication: Emphasizes secure connectivity, ensuring that all data handling and communications are exclusively under the control of the operating nation or entity.
PROJECT TIMELINE
- Preliminary Design Review (PDR): The Eurodrone passed its PDR in 2024.
- First Flight: Scheduled for 2026.
- Initial Deliveries: Expected to begin around 2028.
- Operational Service: Full operational deployment of the Eurodrone is expected by 2030.
Cost and Funding
- Total Programme Value: €7.1 billion (approximately ₹62,000 crore).
- Objective: The programme aims to develop, produce, and support 20 systems, with each system consisting of:
- 3 UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)
- 2 Ground Stations
INDIA’S STRATEGIC INTERESTS
India’s entry into the Eurodrone programme represents a significant strategic move to enhance its defense capabilities and foster closer cooperation with European defense technology providers.
- Previous Partnerships:
- Russia: India previously participated in Russia’s Su-57 fighter programme but withdrew in 2018.
- United States: In October 2024, India signed a contract with the US for the acquisition of 31 Predator drones.
- Indigenous UAVs: India continues to work on its own UAV programs, such as Tapas and Rustom, although progress has been slow.
BENEFITS FOR INDIA
- Enhanced Defense Cooperation: This collaboration with Europe complements other defense initiatives, such as the C-295 aircraft project between Tata and Airbus, Rafale M purchase for naval operations, and potential deals for additional Scorpené-class submarines.
- Secured Data and Operations: Eurodrone’s sovereign design ensures India will have full control over its data and operational sovereignty in the future.
OBSERVER ROLE DETAILS
- As an observer, India will have access to technical expertise and contribute to the discussions about the system’s development.
- However, it will not be directly involved in the production phase of the project.
- Cost Implications: India will need to bear some of the costs related to participation, especially for technical expertise and consultancy.
EUROPEAN DEFENCE STRATEGY
- The Eurodrone programme is part of Europe’s broader defense strategy to reduce reliance on non-European UAV systems, particularly American and Israeli platforms like the Reaper (US) and Heron (Israel).
- Eurodrone, in this sense, is a critical move to establish greater European sovereignty in defense technology.
Other European Defense Projects
- Eurofighter Typhoon: A European fighter jet developed collaboratively.
- European Patrol Corvette (EPC): A naval project for the development of next-generation European corvettes.
- Future Combat Air System (FCAS): A project focused on creating next-generation fighter aircraft for European air forces.
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