India Joins Eurodrone Program As Observer from Vajirao & Reddy Institute

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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