Indian Army orders 225 high‑altitude FPV drones and launches ‘Bharat Rice’ for troops

Army orders 225 FPV drones for Ladakh

The Indian Army announced on Monday that it has placed an order for 225 First‑Person View (FPV) drones to be deployed along the high‑altitude frontier in Ladakh. The contract was awarded to Aerodrone Robotics Pvt Ltd, a Gurgaon‑based firm founded by retired officer Lt Col Randeep Hundal, after field trials that saw the drones fly at 17,500 ft and demonstrate endurance, speed and accuracy in the thin, cold air of the Himalayas.

The drones are lightweight enough for a soldier to carry and are intended to give troops a “first‑to‑see” advantage in surveillance, logistics and, potentially, precision strike roles. Defence officials highlighted that the platforms have already been tested above 18,000 ft, a benchmark that puts them among the most capable high‑altitude systems in the world.

While the contract value was not disclosed, a separate study cited by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies noted that an Indian‑made FPV airframe can cost around Rs 1.4 lakh, suggesting a cost‑effective solution compared with traditional helicopter sorties.

‘Bharat Rice’ to boost troop nutrition

In a parallel move, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the ‘Bharat Rice’ programme for the armed forces. The rice, milled to defence specifications, will be supplied directly to army depots in Ladakh and the North‑East, bypassing local Food Corporation of India (FCI) facilities. The initiative follows an MoU with FCI that earmarks its storage infrastructure for use during operational contingencies.

The ministry said the new ration will be delivered through Nafed in the 2026‑27 financial year, aiming to raise the quality of meals that soldiers receive in the harshest terrains. Singh stressed that “healthy food, robust equipment and complete training boost troop morale, making them ready to face every challenge,” linking nutrition directly to national security.

Why the high‑altitude focus matters

Both the drone order and the rice programme respond to the strategic realities that have emerged since the 2020 Galwan clashes. The Line of Actual Control (LAC) stretches across ridges that rise above 21,000 ft, where conventional equipment and even human performance degrade sharply. Drones can operate in weather‑dependent zones where helicopters are grounded, while a reliable food supply reduces logistical strain on forward posts.

The army’s broader modernisation agenda, championed by Chief of Army Staff Gen Dhiraj Seth under the “VIJAY” mantra (Innovation, Atmanirbharta), places unmanned systems at the centre of future operations. Recent annual reports from the Ministry of Defence confirm that the force is building in‑house drone manufacturing capacity with small‑firm partners, and plans to embed a drone platoon in every infantry battalion.

Looking ahead

Analysts note that the FPV drones will need to contend with thin air, reduced battery performance and signal‑blocking terrain. The army is already exploring fibre‑optic control links and counter‑drone measures, drawing lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. Meanwhile, the ‘Bharat Rice’ rollout is expected to set a benchmark for nutrition‑focused logistics across all services.

If successful, the twin initiatives could showcase how indigenous technology and improved supply chains together reinforce India’s border resilience and the well‑being of its soldiers.