In Perspective: India’s big bet on drones
3 years, 3 months ago

In Perspective: India’s big bet on drones

Hindustan Times  

Last week, India’s civil aviation ministry notified new rules covering drones — the second time that regulations were updated this year itself. The resulting rules appear to recognise that the previous regulations more or less amounted to throwing the baby out with the bathwater – a labyrinthine process ostensibly aimed at keeping the skies safe meant people had to navigate through 25 forms, obtain a remote pilots’ license, and get a security clearance before they could fly drones for simple uses such as wedding photography. The rules also exempt certification requirements for drones that are not meant for use in India and are only being exported, and pitch for a council to be formed to promote drones. Encouraging innovation: Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said, while briefing the media on the new regulations, that the rules pave way for ultimately even allowing Uber-like drone taxis.

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History of this topic

Taking Agriculture To New Heights: How Drones Are Upping The Farming Game With Made-In-India Tech & Made-For-India Goals
1 week, 3 days ago

Taking Agriculture To New Heights: How Drones Are Upping The Farming Game With Made-In-India Tech & Made-For-India Goals

ABP News  

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi piloted a drone at the inauguration of Bharat Mandapam, it was more than just a display of cutting-edge technology. Drive For Drones The Namo Drone Didi scheme, launched in 2023 as part of a central sector initiative, aims to empower women-led self-help groups by equipping them with drone technology to offer agricultural services. "We worked …

Eye in the sky: Karnataka police set to get 100 drones
1 month, 1 week ago

Eye in the sky: Karnataka police set to get 100 drones

New Indian Express  

BENGALURU: In a first, Karnataka police are set to acquire drones to help improve public safety and service delivery, among other things. He heads a technical committee to look into the specifics of drones that can be utilised by the police in various functions -- from improving public safety, search and rescue operations, security, surveillance on illegal, anti-national activities, movements, …

Drone Industry in Talks for Self-Regulation of Standards to Boost Localization
2 months ago

Drone Industry in Talks for Self-Regulation of Standards to Boost Localization

Live Mint  

Drone firms in India are in talks to establish a self-regulatory code of operations to boost localization and ensure quality standards. The discussions are focused on establishing a set of standards for components, research and development programs, and building advanced drones akin to those used by specialized companies in the US. The government recognizes the need for self-regulation to create …

Will a new incentives package help India's drone industry lift off?
3 months ago

Will a new incentives package help India's drone industry lift off?

Live Mint  

New Delhi: India’s nascent drone ecosystem is set to receive a ₹3,000-crore booster shot, with the Centre planning a new production-linked incentive scheme for the industry, three people aware of the development said on condition of anonymity. “The incentives plan that’s being discussed includes ₹1,000 crore in PLI support for each of three verticals—drone R&D, testing and component infrastructure, and …

Drone up
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Drone up

Times of India  

Times of India’s Edit Page team comprises senior journalists with wide-ranging interests who debate and opine on the news and issues of the day. But solution lies in innovation, not dialling back a liberal drone policy Recent reports of drones being used by suspected militants in Manipur to drop bombs and attack security forces are troubling. Plus, Pakistani drones have …

Army seeks to lower dependence on Chinese equipment
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Army seeks to lower dependence on Chinese equipment

The Hindu  

Acknowledging that use of Chinese equipment in drones is a “live issue” and anything remotely to do with data is where the vulnerability lies, Maj Gen C. S. Mann, additional director general of the Army Design Bureau, said that the Government has taken some actions and “appropriate methodology to address this will come into effect.” He added that there was …

India, US to ink deal for 31 MQ-9B drones: Why New Delhi needs these UAVs
4 months, 1 week ago

India, US to ink deal for 31 MQ-9B drones: Why New Delhi needs these UAVs

Firstpost  

India and the United States will ink a deal for 31 MQ-9B Reaper drones today. Today, on October 15, India and the United States will sign a multi-billion dollar deal for the purchase of 31 MQ-9B drones. Today, the MQ-9B drones are in use by the US forces, Nasa, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, the Italian Air Force, the …

US to provide consultancy to India to build advanced UAVs under Predator drone deal
4 months, 3 weeks ago

US to provide consultancy to India to build advanced UAVs under Predator drone deal

Op India  

As part of the USD 3.1 billion 31 MQ-9B Predator drone deal between India and the US, American side is proposing to provide consultancy to Indian entities for developing an indigenous advanced unmanned aerial vehicle. The American offer to provide consultancy to Indian entities for developing an advanced Indian drone as part of the project is expected to be taken …

Maldives: How armed drones from Turkey may replace Indian aerial watch
9 months ago

Maldives: How armed drones from Turkey may replace Indian aerial watch

Firstpost  

In what looks like a coordinated effort to make the drone work meaningful, the Maldivian Cabinet has since decided to make it mandatory for all sea-bound vessels to install tracking devices, for easy identification With the deployment of two Turkey-made ‘ Bayraktar TB2’ military drones with attack capabilities, Maldives has become the first nation to have an Air Corps dependent …

India-EU to curb ultras from using drones
10 months, 2 weeks ago

India-EU to curb ultras from using drones

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: The European Union announced the first-ever EU-India Track 1.5 dialogue on countering the use of drones, by extremists and non-state actors. It This initiative is part of ongoing counterterrorism engagement between the EU and India, bolstered by activities under the EU project Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia. EU Ambassador to India, Hervé Delphin, underscored the hybrid …

MQ-9B drones will provide India with enhanced maritime security, domain awareness capability: U.S.
10 months, 2 weeks ago

MQ-9B drones will provide India with enhanced maritime security, domain awareness capability: U.S.

The Hindu  

The US has said the sale of 31 armed drones to India at an estimated cost of nearly $4 billion would provide it with an enhanced maritime security and domain awareness capability and give the country outright ownership of these aircraft. Last week, the U.S. approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B armed drones to India at an estimated cost of …

US approves $4 billion drone sale to India for maritime security needs
10 months, 3 weeks ago

US approves $4 billion drone sale to India for maritime security needs

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Thursday approved a nearly $4 billion sale of drones and military equipment to India that are meant to be used to improve its maritime safety and surveillance. The State Department notified Congress of the $3.99 billion sale that will include 31 Sky Guardian drones, 170 Hellfire missiles, 310 small-diameter bombs and related support material. …

US State Dept clears sale of 31 MQ-9B drones to India
10 months, 3 weeks ago

US State Dept clears sale of 31 MQ-9B drones to India

Hindustan Times  

After obtaining the first level of clearance from the relevant US Congressional leadership, the US State Department has formally notified the Congress of a possible foreign military sale of 31 MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft or drones to the government of India on Thursday. Read here: US State Dept approves sale of 31 MQ 9B drones to India In a statement …

US Approves $4-bn Drones Deal With India, Congress To Review The Sale
10 months, 3 weeks ago

US Approves $4-bn Drones Deal With India, Congress To Review The Sale

ABP News  

New Delhi: In a major breakthrough, the US government Thursday approved the $4-billion Predator armed drones deal with India under which New Delhi will be procuring 31 MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for its armed forces. According to a statement issued by the Defence Security Cooperation Agency, the U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale …

US approves selling USD 3.99 billion worth of MQ-9B drones to India
10 months, 3 weeks ago

US approves selling USD 3.99 billion worth of MQ-9B drones to India

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: The US State Department has approved a sale of MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft and related equipment at a cost of USD 3.99 billion. The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Thursday. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by …

India’s quest for aatmanirbharta in drones
10 months, 4 weeks ago

India’s quest for aatmanirbharta in drones

Hindustan Times  

The word “drone” refers primarily to unmanned aircraft guided by remote control or onboard computers. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the Centre will promote ‘Kisan Drones‘ to help farmers assess crops, digitise land records as well as spray insecticides and nutrients, in India, on Saturday, February 05, 2022. In June 2021, drones were used by Pakistan to carry out …

India could be a serious global player in manufacturing drones, says Garuda Aerospace CEO
1 year, 2 months ago

India could be a serious global player in manufacturing drones, says Garuda Aerospace CEO

The Hindu  

As drone use across sectors has been increasing rapidly, coupled with the government’s Production Linked Incentive scheme to encourage manufacturing unmanned areal vehicles, India could become a serious global player in this sector, where China has been the leader, said Garuda Aerospace founder and CEO, Agnishwar Jayaprakash. He said, “the recent Drone Rules 2023 that allows anyone with a valid …

Jilted China ‘bans’ drone exports to countries that have already outlawed them
1 year, 4 months ago

Jilted China ‘bans’ drone exports to countries that have already outlawed them

Firstpost  

In a desperate attempt to save face, China has now banned the export of drones to certain countries, citing peace and how even civilian drones can be used in war. The irony is that these countries had already banned Chinese drones citing security concerns On Monday, China introduced new restrictions that will require exporters to obtain licenses in order to …

India set to begin process to acquire US drones this week
1 year, 5 months ago

India set to begin process to acquire US drones this week

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: India will this week issue a letter of request to the US government to initiate the purchase of 31 MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft systems under the foreign military sales programme, Washington DC’s government-to-government method of selling US-built military platforms and providing services and training to other countries, officials aware of the matter said on Sunday. India will negotiate …

India to negotiate deal with US for 31 drones: Officials
1 year, 5 months ago

India to negotiate deal with US for 31 drones: Officials

Hindustan Times  

India will negotiate a competitive deal with the US for 31 MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft systems to boost the Indian military’s strength, it will involve transfer of critical technologies, help bridge the technological gaps faced by the Defence Research and Development Organisation in developing such systems indigenously, and the number of drones to be bought is based on the operational …

US Predator drones price not finalised, Centre refutes Congress allegations
1 year, 5 months ago

US Predator drones price not finalised, Centre refutes Congress allegations

India TV News  

Defence Ministry officials on Thursday said that the cost of the predator drones is still in early stage of negotiations. Senior Defence Ministry officials rebutted the claims made by Congress and said it is a transparent government-to-government negotiation in which India is directly dealing with the United States. Image Source : INDIA TVSenior Defence Ministry officials rebutted the claims made …

The country is ready for a major bulk-up of its defence armoury
1 year, 5 months ago

The country is ready for a major bulk-up of its defence armoury

Live Mint  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to the US came at a crucial juncture. For instance, the successful development of Defence Research and Development Organisation’s advanced towed artillery gun system by Bharat Forge and Tata Group is testimony to Indian industry’s capability in developing our own advanced weapon platforms. Particularly noteworthy is the company’s defence subsidiary, Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd, …

PM Modi's visit marks new era in India-US ties: Big takeaways
1 year, 5 months ago

PM Modi's visit marks new era in India-US ties: Big takeaways

India Today  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit has ushered in a new dawn in India-US relations. Though Modi’s visit was dominated by defence and strategic partnership talks, there were significant other achievements as well, such as leading US technology firm Micron Technology announcing an investment of up to $825 million to build a semiconductor assembly and test facility in India with the …

Ahead of PM Modi’s US visit, India greenlights acquisition of US armed drones
1 year, 6 months ago

Ahead of PM Modi’s US visit, India greenlights acquisition of US armed drones

Live Mint  

Ministry of Defence has given its approval for the acquisition of MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones, which are armed and manufactured by the United States, Reuters reported citing sources. According to the two sources, Indian defence ministry’s apex body for capital procurement met on Thursday to approve the deal, which is expected to be announced when Modi meets U.S. President Joe Biden …

Predator Drone Deal With US: What are MQ9 Reaper Drones & Why Does India Need Them? Explained
1 year, 6 months ago

Predator Drone Deal With US: What are MQ9 Reaper Drones & Why Does India Need Them? Explained

News 18  

Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his visit to the United States, the Defence Ministry granted approval on Thursday for the acquisition of Predator drones from America. According to an India Today report, military planners view the acquisition of Predator armed drones as a means to enhance India’s offensive capabilities. As the deal progresses, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, …

Fast-tracking the flight of India’s drone industry
1 year, 6 months ago

Fast-tracking the flight of India’s drone industry

Hindustan Times  

India is keen to leverage its nascent civilian drone industry to become a global hub. In what this brief collectively calls the Drone Regulations 3.0, it includes the liberalised Drone Rules 2021, a production-linked incentive scheme, the unmanned aerial vehicle traffic management policy, the certification scheme for unmanned aircraft systems, the drone import policy, and the Drone Rules, 2022. This …

Terror drones from Pakistan demand a comprehensive national security response
1 year, 9 months ago

Terror drones from Pakistan demand a comprehensive national security response

Firstpost  

The skies over India are becoming battlegrounds for a new kind of threat: terror drones. Over the past three weeks, Indian security forces stationed along India’s international border states, particularly Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir, have intercepted more than a dozen terror drones launched from Pakistan. With the threat of terror drones looming large, India needs to urgently evolve …

Predator drone deal: Indian Navy wants 60% 'Made in India' content on drones
1 year, 10 months ago

Predator drone deal: Indian Navy wants 60% 'Made in India' content on drones

India Today  

The Indian Navy on Tuesday said that it was still pursuing the deal of purchasing American Predator drones, but wanted them to have 60 per cent indigenous content on them. 60% is the desired Make in India content that we look forward to.” The American Predator drone deal was one of the deals put on hold in order to give …

India, US keen to conclude $3 billion MQ-9B predator drone deal
1 year, 10 months ago

India, US keen to conclude $3 billion MQ-9B predator drone deal

Firstpost  

India and the United States are keen for an early conclusion of the 30 MQ-9B predator armed drones deal at a cost of over $3 billion, which will help New Delhi strengthen its overall surveillance apparatus along the Line of Actual Control and the Indian Ocean. Washington: India and the United States are keen for an early conclusion of the …

India, U.S. keen to conclude $3 billion MQ-9B predator drone deal
1 year, 10 months ago

India, U.S. keen to conclude $3 billion MQ-9B predator drone deal

The Hindu  

India and the United States are keen for an early conclusion of the 30 MQ-9B predator armed drones deal at a cost of over $3 billion, which will help New Delhi strengthen its overall surveillance apparatus along the Line of Actual Control and the Indian Ocean. In the works for more than five years, the “ball is now in India’s …

India, US keen to fast track $3 billion predator armed drone deal: Report
1 year, 10 months ago

India, US keen to fast track $3 billion predator armed drone deal: Report

India TV News  

India-US relations: India and the United States are keen for an early conclusion of the 30 MQ-9B predator armed drones deal at a cost of over USD 3 billion, which will help New Delhi strengthen its overall surveillance apparatus along the Line of Actual Control and the Indian Ocean. The MQ-9B predator armed drones -- 10 each for three services …

India, US keen to conclude USD 3 billion deal for procuring MQ-9B predator drones
1 year, 10 months ago

India, US keen to conclude USD 3 billion deal for procuring MQ-9B predator drones

India Today  

India and the United States are keen for an early conclusion of the 30 MQ-9B predator armed drones deal at a cost of over USD 3 billion, which will help New Delhi strengthen its overall surveillance apparatus along the Line of Actual Control and the Indian Ocean. In the works for more than five years, the “ball is now in …

Why India is eyeing Predator armed drones from the US
1 year, 11 months ago

Why India is eyeing Predator armed drones from the US

India Today  

To scale up its surveillance capabilities along the border with China in the Himalayan heights, India is looking to acquire from the US a fleet of Predator armed drones. Military planners believe the Predator armed drones will strengthen India’s offensive capabilities. “Bharat Forge’s expertise is known globally, and their outstanding contributions in the aerospace sector have inspired us to work …

Civil aviation ministry outlines operational guidelines for PLI scheme for drones and drone components
2 years ago

Civil aviation ministry outlines operational guidelines for PLI scheme for drones and drone components

India TV News  

PLI scheme: The civil aviation ministry has outlined the operational guidelines for the Production Linked Incentive scheme for drones and drone components. According to reports, the PLI scheme is to be implemented during the 2022-23 to 2024-25 period for which the central government has granted an outlay of Rs 120 crore. According to the ministry's notification, Indian MSMEs and startups …

India one step closer to getting US-made MQ-9B drones: Why these Predator drones are such a big deal
2 years, 4 months ago

India one step closer to getting US-made MQ-9B drones: Why these Predator drones are such a big deal

Firstpost  

The US-made MQ-9B drones, designed for long endurance and high-altitude surveillance will provide India a boost in its monitoring programme. A variant of this drone was recently used to launch a missile that killed Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri If all goes as planned, India will soon possess 30 MQ-9B Predator armed drones, cranking up its surveillance apparatus along the frontier …

India in advanced stage of talks with U.S. for procuring MQ-9B drones
2 years, 4 months ago

India in advanced stage of talks with U.S. for procuring MQ-9B drones

The Hindu  

India is in an "advanced stage" of negotiations with the U.S. to procure 30 MQ-9B Predator armed drones for over $3 billion to crank up its surveillance apparatus along the frontier with China as well as in the Indian Ocean region, people familiar with the developments said on Sunday. In 2020, the Indian Navy had taken on lease two MQ-9B …

India's indigenous drones set to take flight but concerns remain: Experts
2 years, 6 months ago

India's indigenous drones set to take flight but concerns remain: Experts

India TV News  

Highlights India's drone industry expected to play an instrumental role in public services Popularity and adoption of drone technology is catching up across India India recently organised its biggest drone festival in the national capital With a growing indigenous base of manufacturers, India's drone industry may play an instrumental role in public services such as agriculture, defence, healthcare and infrastructure …

Why are the big boys of India Inc acquiring drone start-ups?
2 years, 6 months ago

Why are the big boys of India Inc acquiring drone start-ups?

Business Standard  

Last month, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi lifted a drone off the ground and manoeuvred it through a remote, hundreds of heads turned with it at the inauguration of the Bharat Drone Mahotsav in New Delhi. The nascent drone industry has been increasingly catching the attention of India Inc. especially after the government came out with a new policy last …

Drone Mahotsav is Just the Start, India is Poised to Become a World Leader in Drones by 2030
2 years, 6 months ago

Drone Mahotsav is Just the Start, India is Poised to Become a World Leader in Drones by 2030

News 18  

Ministry of Civil Aviation in India conducted the first-ever Drone Mahotsav on the May 27-28, 2022. Most drones have flight modes like altitude hold, position hold, waypoint navigation, return to launch, and smart return to launch mode in which the drone comes back home the way it reached wherever it reached. The Drone Mahotsav also saw some companies unveiling their …

Drones Will Play An Important Role In Tracking Development Across India: PM Modi
2 years, 6 months ago

Drones Will Play An Important Role In Tracking Development Across India: PM Modi

News 18  

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi while inaugurating the ‘Bharat Drone Mahotsav’ at Pragati Maidan highlighted how drones will play an important role across all sectors in India. “Be it disaster management, agriculture, surveillance, media or tourism; drones will revolutionise how services are provided to the public and also make life easy while providing government services,” said PM Modi. As …

Drone festival: India has potential of becoming global drone hub, says PM Modi
2 years, 6 months ago

Drone festival: India has potential of becoming global drone hub, says PM Modi

India TV News  

Highlights Bharat Drone Mahotsav is a two-day event and is being held on May 27-28 Over 1,600 delegates have participated in the festival India is set to become global drone hub by 2030 Drone festival: There was an environment of "indifference" towards the use of technology in governance before 2014 due to which the poor and the middle class suffered …

A drone expert explains the challenges startups will face with drone based deliveries
2 years, 7 months ago

A drone expert explains the challenges startups will face with drone based deliveries

Firstpost  

As fascinating as drones are, the regulations around buying, importing and using drones have been a quagmire for quite some time, especially for enthusiasts. With a number of food and grocery delivery startups as well as established e-commerce players planning to get into drone based deliveries, we need strong players in the Indian market, who have developed the technology indigenously. …

Govt is fast-tracking drone usage: Scindia
2 years, 7 months ago

Govt is fast-tracking drone usage: Scindia

Live Mint  

The government will enable accelerated adoption of drone usage across sectors by easing regulations and through specialised schemes, civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Tuesday. Launching a programme by policy think tank NITI Aayog to promote innovation in drones and its accelerated use, Scindia said that with the active participation of industry players and the government, the drone industry …

Drones Can Help India's Agro Industry to Take Off, Lift Other Sectors: VFLYX CEO
2 years, 8 months ago

Drones Can Help India's Agro Industry to Take Off, Lift Other Sectors: VFLYX CEO

News 18  

When it comes to technical advancement, the scenario is not the same as 10 years ago. News18 spoke to Vishal Saurav, CEO & Founder of VFLYX India, a drone technology company based in Bengaluru planning to invest around 3.4 million dollars in R&D, manufacturing, and testing of drones. We are expecting the drone market to grow tenfold in the next …

Jharkhand Ropeway Accident: Where Are The Drone Delivery Startups Now?
2 years, 8 months ago

Jharkhand Ropeway Accident: Where Are The Drone Delivery Startups Now?

News 18  

Update: Government officials have confirmed that later in the day, drones were used to provide water and food to the trapped victims, according to a report by news agency PTI. Drone delivery startups made headlines claiming how they are the next big thing in India. Articles like Swiggy to lead the drone delivery revolution in India and how easily food …

Here's why India decided to curtail Predator drone deal with US
2 years, 8 months ago

Here's why India decided to curtail Predator drone deal with US

India Today  

At a time when India and the US are discussing defence ties in Washington, India is looking to decrease the number of Predator drones that it would acquire from America. High-level committee formed to decide on curtailed drone deal In view of the indigenous capability development, a high-level committee has been formed to decide on the number of drones that …

Making of India's drone economy
2 years, 10 months ago

Making of India's drone economy

Business Standard  

BotLab Dynamics -- a start-up incubated at IIT Delhi -- put up a 10-minute drone show on January 29 during the culmination of Republic Day celebrations. The government expects the drone manufacturing industry to invest over Rs 5,000 crore over the next three years and generate 10,000 direct jobs. By FY24, it estimates the turnover of the drone manufacturing industry …

How $3 billion contract for 30 Predator drones with the US will help India
3 years, 1 month ago

How $3 billion contract for 30 Predator drones with the US will help India

Firstpost  

The drone deal comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Vivek Lall, CEO of General Atomics, during his visit to Washington on 23 September If all goes as planned, India will ink a $3 billion deal with the United States for 30 MQ-9 Reaper or Predator B armed drones when the two countries sit down for the 2+2 dialogue scheduled …

Counter-drone technology developed, transferred to industries: DRDO chief
3 years, 2 months ago

Counter-drone technology developed, transferred to industries: DRDO chief

India Today  

Defence Research and Development Organisation has developed counter-drone technology and transferred it to industries, which have taken orders from the armed forces and security forces of the country, a senior official of the organisation said on Thursday. It has all the necessary elements required to counter drones, whether it is detection, tracking or surveillance and even a process called software …

How drones delivering COVID-19 jabs will help take India's vaccination drive to all corners of the country
3 years, 2 months ago

How drones delivering COVID-19 jabs will help take India's vaccination drive to all corners of the country

Firstpost  

The unmanned aerial vehicles will aid in providing the vaccines in a timely manner to very hard-to-reach areas India’s health ministry launched a new initiative, the Indian Council of Medical Research’s vaccine delivery model — Drone Response and Outreach in North East. i-Drone initiative Under this new plan, for the first time, a ‘Make in India’ drone was used in …

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