India officially welcomed as an observer on Eurodrone programme
India now joins Japan as the second observer nation on the programme. (Photo: OCCAR)
The four-nation medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) uncrewed aerial system (UAS) programme includes France, Germany, Italy and Spain. India’s acceptance as an observer is the second addition to the programme, following Japan in 2023.
India has now joined the Eurodrone programme for a MALE UAS as an observer, the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) has announced.
Following its request to join the programme in August 2024, India then signed a joint statement with Germany in October 2024 to deepen defence ties, which included “recognising the shared goal of intensifying defence ties” between the two countries.
The Eurodrone MALE UAS is intended to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.
Launched in 2016, the UAS is being developed by Airbus, Dassault and Leonardo for France, Germany, Italy and Spain. A full-scale model of the Eurodrone was unveiled in 2018 at ILA Berlin.
According to OCCAR, a maiden flight of the UAS is planned for 2027, with the delivery of the Eurodrone to a participating partner state targeted by the “end of the decade”. It also views the programme as a “key pillar” to any Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
The total funding for the entire four-nation programme is a reported €7.1 billion (US$8.56 billion) to procure 60 Eurodrone platforms. According to Shephard Defence Insight Eurodrone’s estimated flyaway unit cost is $114.4 million.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Northrop Grumman notes $477 million loss as it manages higher B-21 programme costs]()
Northrop Grumman notes $477 million loss as it manages higher B-21 programme costs
In its Q1 earnings call, the company disclosed a US$477 million pretax loss related to the programme as it works to scale up.
-
![India set to sign Rafale-M deal]()
India set to sign Rafale-M deal
New Delhi gears up to sign Navy Rafale deal as talks swirl around a potential assembly line in Nagpur.
-
![Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss]()
Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss
The investment in technologies developed for Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aircraft bid will now be applied to its F-35 and F-22 aircraft, according to Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet.
-
![USSOCOM outlines acquisition priorities for FY2026]()
USSOCOM outlines acquisition priorities for FY2026
The service is seeking all-domain autonomous and counter-robotic solutions as well as deep sensing and assured access technologies.
-
![Why SCAF and GCAP should seek common ground]()
Why SCAF and GCAP should seek common ground
Can international industrial collaboration to develop common technologies applicable to different future aircraft programmes – like GCAP or SCAF – prevail in the face of politics?
-
![USAF evaluates potential E-7A upgrades]()
USAF evaluates potential E-7A upgrades
The US Air Force is assessing and identifying capability upgrades for the AEW&C aircraft, including the possible replacement of the E-7A’s MESA radar and electronic warfare self-protection system.
