Hawk-eye from Meerut: Operation Sindoor spurs India’s first dedicated drone runway and aviation base

Rs 406 crore project by BRO to build 2,110-metre runway for HALE drones and C-295, C-130 class aircraft

• India to build its first dedicated drone runway in Meerut
• Facility will support 1,500 RPA operations yearly
• Project aims to boost military's unmanned surveillance capacity

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India will build its first dedicated runway for drones and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) in Meerut, marking a major infrastructure shift after Operation Sindoor highlighted the growing role of unmanned systems in warfare.

The Indian Army’s planned aviation base will span over 900 acres and is designed to support high-tempo drone operations alongside select transport aircraft.

According to documents accessed by CNN-News18, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), under the Ministry of Defence, has invited bids for Project Management Consultancy services for the Rs 406-crore project.

At the centre of the facility will be a 2,110-metre-long, 45-metre-wide runway. The airstrip is designed for High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) RPAs as well as C-295 and C-130 class transport aircraft.

The runway will feature ICAO CAT-II compliant lighting and advanced navigational aids, enabling operations in low-visibility conditions, CNN-News18 reported.

Two aircraft hangars, each measuring 60 by 50 metres, will support maintenance and rapid deployment of drones and aircraft.

The base is expected to support heavy aircraft movements annually and approximately 1,500 RPA operations each year, averaging about four drone sorties daily.

The project reflects the military’s increasing reliance on unmanned systems for surveillance, reconnaissance and precision targeting.

During Operation Sindoor, drones played a significant role in providing real-time intelligence and reducing risk to personnel. The experience reinforced the need for dedicated infrastructure to sustain prolonged unmanned missions.

HALE RPAs are built to remain airborne at high altitudes for extended durations, delivering continuous surveillance over large areas.

In border scenarios, sustained aerial presence enhances situational awareness and response readiness.

Military planners have assessed that such platforms are shifting from auxiliary roles to core operational assets.

The total project timeline is estimated at 85 months.

Seven months have been allocated for pre-award planning and preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), followed by 18 months of supervised construction, CNN-News18 reported.

A 24-month defect liability period and 36 months of maintenance oversight are built into the execution plan to ensure long-term operational readiness.

The Meerut facility is expected to function as a strategic aviation hub for unmanned missions, reflecting the Army’s broader push toward technology-driven and persistent aerial surveillance capabilities.