Indian Army Begins Operational Flights of Solar-Powered MAPSS Drones

Moving beyond initial testing phases, the Indian Army is operating the MAPSS drones following a ₹168 crore contract placed with Bengaluru-based startup NewSpace Research & Technologies in January 2026 . The contract was executed under the Defence Ministry's Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) programme, which bridges the gap between domestic innovators and the armed forces .

The MAPSS is a fully electric, solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle designed to provide long-endurance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic intelligence (ELINT), and communications relay support . It evolved from NewSpace's ongoing High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) programme, which had already set national endurance records including flights exceeding 27 hours at altitudes above 26,000 feet .

The system features lightweight construction, solar recharging for extended endurance, modular payloads, and advanced mission autonomy that enables operations even in GNSS-denied zones . The drones operate at altitudes of 28,000 to 30,000 feet with endurance spanning multiple days . They are equipped with electro-optic/infrared cameras and other role-specific sensors . The quiet electric propulsion and low thermal signatures make them difficult to detect, while the solar-powered endurance allows continuous operation with minimal logistical support .

These solar drones act as permanent, low-cost "orbital eyes" along complex border zones, providing uninterrupted stealth surveillance for field units on the ground . By staying airborne for weeks at a time without needing to land or refuel, they offer a strategic vantage point over varied terrains—from the high Himalayas to the deserts of Rajasthan .

The MAPSS drones provide continuous overwatch for border patrols, artillery spotting, and communication extension in denied environments . They establish self-healing communication mesh networks and can relay real-time intelligence to commanders on the ground, enabling persistent monitoring of troop movements, smuggling, or incursions with minimal logistical demands . The systems complement existing medium-altitude long-endurance platforms, providing networked ISR at forward-level formations . This operational capability reflects a broader shift in India's defence strategy toward sustainable, solar-electric propulsion in military aviation, reducing dependency on fuel logistics while gaining a sustainable and strategic edge in modern warfare . The procurement, along with additional drone approvals worth thousands of crores, marks a major success for the iDEX ecosystem and India's push for self-reliance in defence technologies .