NI Bureau
New Delhi, October 10, 2024:
The indigenization of drone technology is critical to realizing the full potential of India’s drone sector, emphasized Mr. Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, during the FICCI seminar ‘Bharat Drone Varta’ today. Speaking on the theme ‘Driving India’s Drone Indigenization’, Mr. Vualnam reiterated the government’s vision to position India as a global drone hub by 2030. He underscored the significance of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in advancing the sector and urged FICCI to recommend strategies to make the future PLI scheme more efficient in implementation, documentation, and processes. Also Read: FICCI to Host Seminar on “Bharat Drone Varta – Road to Indigenization”
With the increasing use of drones in civil and security sectors, Mr. Vualnam pointed out that indigenization is essential to fully harness the sector’s potential. “We need to focus on indigenization to tap into the massive opportunities,” he added.
Major General C.S. Mann, Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau, Indian Army, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of indigenous defense technologies. “Indigenous capability in drones is vital for national security,” he said, adding that the Indian Army is committed to supporting the drone industry through funding and technical assistance. Gen. Mann outlined a framework aimed at streamlining procurement, testing, and evaluation processes to minimize vulnerabilities while fostering home-grown solutions in secure communications and high-altitude drones.
Mr. Jalaj Dani, Chair of the FICCI Drone Committee and Chairman of Addverb Technologies, acknowledged the government’s progressive policies, such as the Drone Rules 2021, PLI scheme, and National Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management framework, which have provided the necessary policy thrust for the sector’s growth. He emphasized the role of drones in India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation.
Mr. Ankit Mehta, Co-Chair of the FICCI Drone Committee and CEO of ideaForge Technology, underscored the strategic importance of the drone sector. “We must ensure self-sufficiency to avoid vulnerability to denial regimes,” he stated, emphasizing that developing cutting-edge drone technology is crucial for India to remain competitive globally.
Mr. Neel Mehta, Co-Chair of the FICCI Drone Committee and Director of Asteria Aerospace, called for increased focus on local supply chains, intellectual property development, and greater government support. He proposed a Rs 1,000 crore fund for research and development in the sector.
During the event, FICCI also announced its annual drone awards, recognizing significant contributions to drone technology. Additionally, a FICCI discussion paper titled ‘Making India a Drone Hub of the World’ was presented, outlining strategies to strengthen India’s position in the global drone market.
