India has reached a major milestone in its defence development by becoming an observer in the international Eurodrone program. This action marks a strategic change in India's international defence alliances and demonstrates the country's increasing dedication to promoting cooperation in defence technology.
The announcement came from the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), a European defense body overseeing several high-profile military projects. On January 21, 2025, Joachim Sucker, OCCAR's Director of Executive Administration, formally handed over the observer nation Letter of Approval to the Indian Embassy in Berlin. This marked India’s official entry into one of Europe’s most ambitious defense programs.
What is the Eurodrone Program?
Launched in 2016, the Eurodrone Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) program represents Europe’s push for greater self-reliance in defense technologies. The project, worth approximately €7 billion, is spearheaded by France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, with industry leaders like Airbus, Dassault, and Leonardo driving its development.
The Eurodrone aims to reduce European dependence on foreign platforms such as the U.S.-made MQ-9B Reaper while meeting critical defense and surveillance needs. The drone’s first prototype flight is slated for 2027, although the program has faced delays due to coordination challenges among its stakeholders.
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India's Role as an Observer Nation
India’s observer status grants it access to critical technical data and allows it to procure the Eurodrone in the future. India will not, however, take part in the decision-making procedures related to the drone's design, development, or production workshare as an observer.
This position is in accordance with India's overarching defence strategy, which aims to improve its technological ability through international cooperation. India submitted an application for observer status in August 2024, following Japan's 2023 admission as the program's first Asia-Pacific observer country.
The Eurodrone program also ties into India’s recent defense cooperation agreement with Germany, signed in October 2024, which focuses on technology sharing, co-production, and co-development. This agreement underscores India’s increasing emphasis on leveraging international partnerships to boost its defense capabilities.
The Strategic Importance of Eurodrone for India
India’s inclusion in the Eurodrone initiative comes at a critical time for its armed forces. The Indian Air Force (IAF) faces mounting challenges in modernizing its fleet. With only 31 operational squadrons—well below the sanctioned strength of 42—the IAF struggles to replace its aging aircraft while addressing new security threats.
The development of India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter program, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), has been delayed due to technical hurdles and resource constraints. Additionally, the long-pending Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) procurement program remains unresolved, further limiting India’s ability to modernize its airpower.
Against this backdrop, the Eurodrone offers a valuable opportunity for India to integrate advanced unmanned aerial systems into its defense ecosystem. These drones could be pivotal in surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat operations, addressing some of the gaps in the country’s air capabilities.
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Regional Challenges: A Need for Swift Modernization
India’s regional adversaries, China and Pakistan, continue to modernize their defense capabilities rapidly. For example, China has just introduced prototypes of sixth-generation fighter jets, including the Chengdu J-36, and has made major strides with its J-20 fifth-generation stealth fighters. In sharp contrast to India's sluggish modernisation efforts, China is predicted to deploy up to 1,000 stealth fighters by 2035.
Similarly, Pakistan is working with Turkey on the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet program and strengthening its fleet with China's recently unveiled J-35A stealth fighter.
These events highlight how urgent it is for India to actively participate in cooperative defence programs like the Eurodrone in addition to modernising its air fleet.
Beyond Eurodrone: Opportunities in Next-Gen Defence
While the Eurodrone is a vital addition to India’s defense arsenal, the long-term focus must include next-generation fighter jets. Europe’s sixth-generation programs, such as the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), offer India a promising path to advance its airpower.
The GCAP, led by the United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy, and the FCAS, a joint effort by France, Germany, and Spain, aim to develop fighters with innovative features like artificial intelligence, advanced stealth, and autonomous capabilities. Given the involvement of the same European nations in the Eurodrone project, India’s participation in these initiatives seems like a natural progression.
Conclusion
Beyond just a significant milestone, India's entry into the Eurodrone program is a step towards revamping its defence strategy. By collaborating with European countries on advanced defence initiatives, India is filling both short-term military capabilities deficits and setting the stage for long-term technological progress.
India's involvement in programs like the Eurodrone, GCAP, and FCAS will be essential to preserving its strategic advantage as the world defence environment changes. The question at hand is not whether India can stay up with its enemies, but rather how soon it can use these partnerships to safeguard its future.