The 515 Army Base Workshop (515 ABW) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IndyASTRA Technologies Private Limited to accelerate the development and fielding of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled drone systems for Indian Army Land Systems. The partnership signifies a key step in India’s efforts to indigenise unmanned aerial capabilities within its defence logistics and operational frameworks.

The primary aim of this MoU is to infuse next-generation AI technology into the Army’s drone manufacturing ecosystem. The focus areas include the development of an AI-enabled Flight Control System (FCS) and a Standard Drone Operating Platform (SDOP), both integral to the modernisation of unmanned flight operations. These systems will enhance autonomy, situational awareness, and mission adaptability in varying battlefield conditions.

Under the agreement, IndyASTRA Technologies will act as the technical consultant for 515 ABW, providing expertise in evaluating drone technology subsystems, reviewing designs, assessing integration readiness, and ensuring compliance with stringent defence standards. The consultancy aims to establish technical benchmarks that support interoperability between existing and future unmanned aerial systems deployed by the Indian Army.

The 515 Army Base Workshop will facilitate manufacturing trials, validation exercises, and certification processes through this collaboration. Requests for technology testing and field assessments will be routed through IndyASTRA, ensuring alignment with operational safety requirements and Army standards.

The workshop will play a central role in integrating the evaluated systems into existing land warfare platforms where drones act as force multipliers.

This partnership is expected to significantly enhance India’s indigenous capacity to design and manufacture critical unmanned systems. By leveraging local expertise and modular design frameworks, the agreement aims to reduce reliance on imported drone components and foreign flight control architectures.

The resulting systems will promote technological self-reliance and resilience in the Army’s surveillance, logistics, and tactical support operations.

The MoU is designed to accelerate the “time-to-field” for AI-enabled drone solutions in active Army operations. The advanced control logic and standardised operational platforms being developed will allow faster deployment and simplified maintenance of drone fleets across terrains.

This collaborative model, structured around interoperability and modularity, is intended to be replicable for future Army programs—including autonomous ground vehicles and hybrid unmanned subsystems.

By fostering direct collaboration between a military production unit and a private technology innovator, this initiative reflects a growing emphasis on public–private partnerships in India’s defence sector.

The agreement aligns with the government’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision, ensuring that the Indian Army gains access to state-of-the-art, AI-driven unmanned capabilities while nurturing domestic R&D and manufacturing ecosystems.