Switch Mini UAV.
Mumbai | November 14, 2025, In a major boost to India’s indigenous unmanned aerial systems ecosystem, ideaForge Technology Limited, one of the country’s leading UAV manufacturers, has won ₹100 crore worth of new orders from the Indian Army for its latest products — the ZOLT Tactical UAV and the SWITCH V2 Hybrid VTOL UAV. The orders reaffirm the Army’s trust in ideaForge’s operationally proven drone technologies and highlight the company’s growing leadership in the defence UAV market.
₹75 Crore Order for Newly Launched ZOLT Tactical UAV
The Indian Army has placed a Capital Emergency Procurement order worth ₹75 crore for ZOLT, ideaForge’s newest tactical UAV unveiled at Aero India 2025. The order follows a rigorous and multi-stage evaluation process that included extensive field trials in electronic warfare (EW) environments and meticulous country-of-origin verification.
Company officials stated that clearing these demanding test conditions underscores both the robustness and combat-readiness of the platform. The Army’s selection also highlights ZOLT’s suitability for high-threat, high-altitude, and signal-contested scenarios—reflecting the needs of modern, technology-driven warfare.
What ZOLT Brings to the Battlefield?
Designed for next-generation defence operations, ZOLT is a multi-role tactical UAV capable of:
1. Long-range ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance)
2. Precision payload delivery
3. VTOL take-off and landing in challenging terrain
4. Fixed-wing endurance for extended missions
Engineered with GNSS-denied autonomy, advanced Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM), and strong resistance to jamming, ZOLT is built to thrive in environments where drones are frequently targeted by adversarial EW systems. Its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of missions, from counter-insurgency and border surveillance to tactical strike support.
IdeaForge’s Zolt UAV.
Additional ₹30 Crore Order for SWITCH V2
Alongside ZOLT, ideaForge has also received a ₹30 crore order for its SWITCH V2, a high-performance hybrid VTOL UAV that debuted at Aero India 2025. SWITCH V2—already inducted and battle-tested in Army operations—is used extensively for ISR tasks across rugged and strategically sensitive terrains.
Known for its endurance, reliability, and rapid deployment capability, SWITCH V2 enhances frontline units’ situational awareness, making it a valuable asset for real-time intelligence gathering.
With this, ideaForge’s total order value for the day stands at ₹100 crore, underscoring the company’s strong relationship with the Indian defence establishment.
READ: Rheinmetall Leads European Initiative to Produce CO₂-Neutral Synthetic Fuel for Military Use
CEO Ankit Mehta: Innovation, Indigenisation, and Resilience Drive Success
Ankit Mehta, CEO, IdeaForge.
Commenting on the milestone, Ankit Mehta, CEO and Co-founder of ideaForge, said the new orders reflect years of sustained investment in innovation, autonomy, and electronic warfare resilience.
“At ideaForge, we continue to strengthen India’s position in the global UAV ecosystem by driving performance, reliability, and resilience in every platform we build,” Mehta said. He noted that ZOLT’s development was driven by technological foresight and a commitment to indigenisation and EW-resistant capabilities, anticipating battlefield requirements three years in advance.
He added that the company’s focus on secure, AI-driven, mission-ready systems and its perseverance in building platforms that withstand the harshest operational conditions have been key to earning the Army’s confidence.
“Our investments in next-gen platforms and GPS/communications resilience are paying off as we deliver on emergency procurement needs,” Mehta said, emphasizing that the ZOLT order helps shape the future of unmanned defence technologies while also creating value for stakeholders.
READ: Rheinmetall and MBDA’s German Laser Weapon System Moves Closer to Market Readiness
Strengthening India’s UAV Self-Reliance
ideaForge’s success aligns closely with India’s broader goals of building self-reliance in defence manufacturing, especially in critical technologies like unmanned systems. By scaling indigenous innovation into widely deployed military assets, the company has emerged as a crucial partner for India’s defence forces.
The development of ZOLT, based on years of R&D in EW resilience, positions ideaForge at the forefront of the nation’s efforts to counter increasingly sophisticated electronic threats on the modern battlefield.
A Step Forward for India’s Defence UAV Ecosystem
The dual orders mark a significant milestone not only for ideaForge but also for India’s growing UAV sector, which is rapidly expanding its footprint in global defence markets. As the Indian Army continues to modernize its tactical reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities, platforms like ZOLT and SWITCH V2 are expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing soldier safety, battlefield awareness, and operational efficiency.
With these new procurements, ideaForge further solidifies its role as one of India’s most reliable and innovative drone technology partners—helping shape the future of unmanned warfare and advancing the nation’s strategic autonomy.
*INR 88.7 per USD 1.
