Adani eyes unmanned systems, guided weapons with Rs 1.8 lakh crore defence push

Adani Group plans to invest Rs 1.8 lakh crore next year in defence manufacturing, focusing on unmanned and autonomous systems and advanced guided weapons, as it seeks to strengthen indigenous military capabilities.

Adani Defence & Aerospace transitioned in 2025 from extended planning cycles to rapid deployment, with some of its military hardware being used in Operation Sindoor, PTI reported quoting sources.

Next year’s investment will cover unmanned and autonomous systems, advanced guided weapons, sensors and electronics, AI-enabled multi-domain operations, and the expansion of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and training infrastructure.

Autonomous systems across air, sea and land domains are unmanned platforms that use sensors, software and secure networks to operate with minimal human intervention. These systems are designed to extend operational reach while reducing risk to personnel.

In the air domain, such systems include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), communications relay and precision-support missions with long endurance. At sea, unmanned surface and underwater vehicles are used for maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures across large areas. On land, unmanned ground vehicles support logistics, reconnaissance, explosive ordnance disposal and perimeter security.

Adani Defence & Aerospace has emerged as India’s largest integrated private-sector defence player, with capabilities spanning unmanned aerial and underwater systems, counter-unmanned aircraft systems (counter-UAS), guided weapons and loitering munitions, small arms and ammunition, aircraft MRO, simulator-driven training, and airborne warning and control systems (AWACS).

Sources said that in 2025, the company’s Drishti 10 UAVs were inducted into the Indian Navy and Army for long-endurance ISR missions. Its counter-drone systems cleared trials conducted by the Army, Navy and Air Force. Agnikaa loitering munitions demonstrated endurance and resistance to electronic warfare, while ARKA MANPADS, a shoulder-fired missile system, achieved tri-service deployment readiness within compressed timelines.

The company’s entry into the AWACS segment has positioned it as the sole private-sector player in this area.

Integration of Air Works and Indamer has created a combined defence-civil MRO platform, while the acquisition of the Flying Training School Company (FSTC) strengthened pilot and engineering training capabilities, PTI sources added.

Adani Defence & Aerospace has also embedded sustainability measures through digital twins, predictive maintenance and modular design, while increased indigenous sourcing has strengthened supply-chain resilience.

Looking ahead to 2026, the company plans to scale autonomous systems across air, sea and land domains, expand precision-strike capabilities, deepen its MRO and training footprint, and advance AI-enabled multi-domain operational systems in line with India’s planned defence investment trajectory.