NEW DELHI, 10 October 2024:
Government and military leaders today emphasized the critical need for indigenization in India’s rapidly growing drone sector, underscoring its significance for both national security and economic advancement.

Addressing the FICCI seminar *Bharat Drone Varta* on the theme *Driving India’s Drone Indigenization*, Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary of Civil Aviation, Government of India, highlighted the government’s commitment to transforming India into a global drone hub by 2030. He noted that the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme had catalyzed growth in the sector, but stressed the need for further industry collaboration to refine the scheme’s next phase.

“The PLI scheme has already made an impact, but we need to make it more efficient in terms of implementation, documentation, and processes,” Vualnam said, urging FICCI to provide recommendations from the industry to facilitate this.

With drones becoming increasingly vital in both civilian and security applications, Vualnam emphasized the importance of indigenization. “We need to focus on developing indigenous capabilities to truly unlock the potential of this sector,” he added.

Army’s Commitment to Drone Indigenization

Major General C.S. Mann, Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau, echoed the call for self-reliance in defense technology, particularly in drones. “Indigenous capability in drones is essential for national security,” he stated, emphasizing that reducing dependence on imports is critical for strategic autonomy.

Mann outlined the Army’s plans to support the drone industry through funding and mentorship. “We are streamlining the procurement, testing, and evaluation process to reduce vulnerabilities while supporting the industry to develop indigenized solutions,” he explained.

FICCI’s Vision for Drone Growth

During the seminar, FICCI Drone Committee Chair Jalaj Dani praised the government’s policy initiatives, including the Drone Rules 2021 and the PLI scheme. “The policy thrust from the government has laid a solid foundation for the drone sector’s growth,” Dani said, adding that drones are integral to India’s aspirations of becoming a developed nation.

Ankit Mehta, Co-Chair of the FICCI Drone Committee and CEO of ideaForge Technology, underscored the strategic importance of achieving autonomy in drone technology. “To avoid vulnerability to foreign restrictions, we must secure self-sufficiency and continue developing cutting-edge technology,” he stressed.

Neel Mehta, Co-Chair of the FICCI Drone Committee and Co-founder of Asteria Aerospace, called for a concerted effort to ensure that a majority of drone components are designed domestically. “We need to enhance local supply chains and intellectual property, and the government’s proposed Rs 1,000 crore fund for R&D will help us move in that direction,” he said.

During the event, FICCI announced the winners of the FICCI Drone Awards, recognizing key innovations in drone technology. A FICCI discussion paper titled *Making India a Drone Hub of the World* was also unveiled, offering insights into the future direction of the industry.

With the growing role of drones in both civilian and military applications, experts at the seminar agreed that indigenization and strategic investments are crucial for India’s drone sector to achieve its full potential and global leadership by 2030.