Indian Defence Firm IG Defence Explores Oman Partnership for 1,000-km Strike Drone Manufacturing
India's growing defence manufacturing sector is exploring new international opportunities as indigenous defence technology company IG Defence has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oman's MSA Global LLC to explore the co-development and local manufacturing of advanced defence systems. The proposed partnership includes three Indian-developed platforms, including a long-range strike drone with a stated range of up to 1,000 kilometres. The collaboration is expected to explore opportunities in Oman and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market.
The agreement comes amid increasing regional security concerns and growing demand for advanced unmanned aerial systems and counter-drone technologies. It also reflects India's expanding ambitions in defence exports and its efforts to establish stronger industrial partnerships with international defence manufacturers.
KAL: India's 1,000-km Long-Range Strike Drone
The KAL unmanned aerial system is a key component of the proposed collaboration. Developed by IG Defence, the one-way attack drone has a company-stated operational range of up to 1,000 kilometres and is designed for precision-strike missions.
The inclusion of KAL in the Oman partnership highlights the growing capabilities of India's private defence industry in developing advanced unmanned platforms. Long-range drones have become increasingly significant in modern military operations, offering additional capabilities for missions involving precision targeting and remote operations.
Under the proposed agreement, the companies will explore opportunities for local manufacturing in Oman while retaining Indian ownership of the underlying technology and intellectual property.
BAJ and JWALA to Strengthen Counter-Drone Capabilities
Apart from KAL, the partnership also includes BAJ, an unmanned aerial interceptor designed to counter hostile drones, and JWALA, a micro-missile system currently under development for counter-drone applications.
The growing use of unmanned aerial systems in modern conflicts has increased the importance of effective detection, interception and defence technologies. Military installations, energy facilities and other strategic infrastructure require specialised systems to address emerging aerial threats. The proposed inclusion of BAJ and JWALA therefore broadens the scope of the collaboration beyond long-range strike capabilities to include technologies focused on aerial protection.
India and Oman Expand Defence Industrial Cooperation
The MoU was exchanged between Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya, founder and CEO of IG Defence, and Col. M. S. Atwal (Retd.), chairman of MSA Global LLC, during the India-Oman Defence Industry Cooperation Seminar held in Muscat on October 26–27, 2026.
The seminar was organised by the Embassy of India in Muscat in association with India's Department of Defence Production and FICCI. It brought together representatives from Indian and Omani defence industries to explore opportunities in co-development, manufacturing and technological cooperation.
The Indian delegation included representatives from 16 defence companies, while the discussions covered several areas, including unmanned systems, maritime security, robotics, artificial intelligence, advanced electronics, cybersecurity and shipbuilding.
The proposed arrangement aims to combine India's defence engineering expertise with Oman's industrial infrastructure. According to the companies, the technology and intellectual property behind the platforms will remain Indian-owned and India-designed, while local manufacturing opportunities will be explored in Oman.
India's Growing Defence Export Ambitions
The proposed partnership also reflects the broader expansion of India's defence manufacturing and export capabilities. India's defence exports reached a record ₹23,622 crore in the financial year 2024–25, registering an increase of 12.04 per cent over the previous financial year.
The growth demonstrates the increasing participation of Indian private-sector companies and defence public sector undertakings in international markets. Indian defence products are now reaching approximately 80 countries, reflecting the expanding global demand for indigenous military equipment and technologies.
The government has set a target of achieving ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029. International collaborations, technological development and increased manufacturing capacity are expected to contribute to this ambition. Partnerships such as the proposed IG Defence-MSA Global agreement could create further opportunities for Indian companies to explore overseas markets.
Why Oman Is a Strategic Partner for India
India and Oman share a longstanding strategic relationship, with defence cooperation forming an important part of their bilateral engagement. The two countries regularly conduct joint military exercises involving their armies, navies and air forces, strengthening operational coordination and military ties.
Oman's geographical location along the Arabian Sea and its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz make it particularly important for regional maritime security and international trade. The Gulf region also plays a significant role in global energy transportation, making the protection of critical infrastructure and maritime routes an important priority.
Against this background, cooperation in unmanned aerial systems and counter-drone technologies offers another area for India and Oman to strengthen their defence partnership. The proposed manufacturing collaboration could also provide Indian defence companies with greater access to the wider GCC market.
The MGMM Outlook
India’s proposed defence partnership between IG Defence and Oman’s MSA Global LLC marks another significant step in expanding the international reach of indigenous defence manufacturing. The collaboration will explore the co-development and local manufacturing of three Indian-developed systems: KAL, a long-range strike drone with a stated range of up to 1,000 kilometres; BAJ, an aerial interceptor; and JWALA, a micro-missile system designed for counter-drone applications. The agreement highlights the growing technological capabilities of India's private defence sector and the increasing importance of Indian-designed unmanned systems in modern warfare.
The partnership also reflects India's broader ambition to strengthen defence exports and establish itself as a major global defence manufacturing hub. With Indian defence exports reaching a record ₹23,622 crore in FY 2024–25, international collaborations can open new markets, encourage technological cooperation and strengthen India's strategic relationships. Oman's geographical importance and established defence ties with India make it a valuable partner for exploring opportunities across the Gulf region. Although the MoU remains at an exploratory stage, the proposed cooperation represents an encouraging opportunity for Indian defence manufacturers to expand their global presence while retaining ownership of their indigenous technologies.
(Sources: Firstpost, Business Standard, Times of India)
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