At the "Bharat Drone Varta" seminar organized by FICCI, Vumlunmang Vualnam, secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, reaffirmed India's goal of becoming a global drone hub by 2030. The seminar, themed "Driving India's Drone Indigenization," highlighted the importance of domestic drone production and technology development.
Vualnam acknowledged the positive impact of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in boosting the drone sector and called for industry recommendations to improve the scheme's next phase. He stressed the growing potential of drone applications in both civil and security sectors, emphasizing the need for indigenization to fully capitalize on these opportunities.
Major General C.S. Mann, Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau, underscored the critical role of indigenizing defence technology, particularly drones, to reduce reliance on imports. He outlined the Indian Army's efforts to streamline procurement, testing, and evaluation processes while minimizing vulnerabilities. The Army Design Bureau is committed to supporting domestic industries through funding and guidance in developing indigenous solutions for secure communications and high-altitude drones, among other areas.
Industry leaders echoed the government's focus on indigenization. Jalaj Dani, Chair of the FICCI Drone Committee and Chairman of Addverb Technologies, praised the government's policy initiatives, including Drones Rules 2021, the PLI scheme, and the National Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management policy framework. He emphasized the vital role of drones in India's journey towards becoming a developed nation.
Ankit Mehta, Co-chair of the FICCI Drone Committee and CEO of ideaForge Technology, stressed the strategic importance of the drone sector and the need for self-sufficiency to avoid dependence on foreign technology. He highlighted the importance of advancing India's drone capabilities to maintain global competitiveness and achieve leadership in the field by 2030.
Neel Mehta, Co-chair of the FICCI Drone Committee and Director & Co-founder of Asteria Aerospace, called for increased domestic design and production of drone components. He urged collaboration between industry, academia, and the government to assess the technology and commercialization readiness of various drone components and push for indigenization. Mehta also advocated for stronger local supply chains, development of intellectual property within India, and increased government support, including a proposed Rs 1000 crore fund for research and development.
This concerted effort by the government and industry stakeholders signifies India's strong commitment to establishing itself as a major player in the global drone industry by 2030.
