Page 2 - Drone Industry

India signs Rs 32,000-cr deal for 31 US Predator drones to counter China

As part of the deal, India and the US have also agreed to set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility for the 31 MQ-9B Predator armed drones in the country

QCI gives nod to National Test House Ghaziabad as drones certification body

Quality Council of India (QCI) has given provisional approval to National Test House (NTH), Ghaziabad, as a certification body for drones. NTH, Ghaziabad has been "provisionally approved by the Quality Council of India (QCI) as a certification body for type certification of drones", an official statement said on Tuesday. This is as part of the certification scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). This significant milestone aligns with the Government of India's push towards fostering a robust and globally competitive drone ecosystem under the Drone Rules 2021. In line with this responsibility, a team of auditors from NTH will visit Vimaana Aerospace Technologies, Noida, from 11th to 12th September 2024 for conducting a Stage-2 (onsite) assessment. "The purpose of this audit is to evaluate their D1 application for Krishiraj 1.0, an agricultural drone model designed to meet the specific needs of the farming sector," the statement said. This assessment is a crucial step towards .

India's first indigenous combat unmanned aircraft FWD 200B takes flight

The indigenous bomber drone's successful launch comes after setbacks with international suppliers, including Turkey's refusal to sell the Bayraktar UAV and a delay in the US Predator drone deal

China test-flies biggest cargo drone as low-altitude economy rises

China has already begun commercial deliveries by drone

Garuda Aerospace aims to sell 50,000 agri, consumer drones in coming years

Drone manufacturer Garuda Aerospace Pvt Ltd has inaugurated its first exclusive drone showroom in the city as it plans to sell 50,000 agricultural and consumer drones in the next few years. The city-based company, backed by cricket legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has served over 750 clients across the country. In a statement on Tuesday, the company said it has received the Directorate General of Civil Aviation approval for manufacturing of small and medium drones. "We pride ourselves on the impactful intelligence our drone solutions have to offer. We have 750 + satisfied clients all around India with 350 finished projects and 50 designed works. Our team includes 200 plus employees, with a group of advisory board members, expertise heads for various departments, and well-versed pilots," company CEO Agnishwar Jayaprakash said in the statement. "Garuda Aerospace has sold 2,500 drones so far, out of which 2,000 are agri drones. We plan to sell 25,000 agri-drones in the next two years and

Skye Air Mobility: Pioneering drone delivery in cities and remote areas

New Delhi-based tech start-up has transformed the concept of drone deliveries, with an impressive track record of two million successful deliveries

AI integration with drone tech to enhance capabilities, efficiency: Report

Integration of artificial intelligence with drone technology can enhance capabilities, efficiency, and operational intelligence, such as autonomous navigation, real-time data processing, and advanced analytics, a survey said. A recent survey conducted by Nexgen Exhibitions, the organisers of Drone International Expo, revealed that India's AI mission would significantly boost the growth of the Indian drone sector, a statement said on Wednesday. The survey reached out to more than 150 drone manufacturing and service-providing companies across 11 cities - Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Gurugram, and Coimbatore. Additionally, it highlighted the potential for India to become a global leader in drone technology and innovation, providing an overview of current trends, challenges, and future opportunities in the Indian drone sector. It stated that the India AI mission, an ambitious government initiative aimed at harnessing artificial ...

Coromandel increases stake in drone company Dhaksha; to invest Rs 150 crore

Coromandel will invest Rs 150 crore through a fresh issue of shares to increase its overall shareholding in Dhaksha to 58 per cent. Dhaksha, incorporated in 2019 and headquartered in Chennai

Drone Destination partners Iffco for spraying agri products on 3 mn acres

Drone company Drone Destination on Monday said it has signed an agreement with cooperative major IFFCO for spraying agricultural products on up to 30 lakh acres of farm land. According to company officials, under the agreement Drone Destination could get paid in the range of Rs 400 to Rs 800 per acre at prevailing market rates, implying that the deal will fetch a revenue of Rs 120 crore in the lower price band and up to Rs 240 at upper price band. "We have secured a mandate for agri spray over 30 lakh acres. The prevailing market rate of such agri spray is in the range of Rs 400-800 per acre depending upon the region and the crop," Drone Destination managing director and CEO Chirag Sharma said. As part of the agreement, Drone Destination will undertake drone spray in 12 states across the country. These states include Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand. "We are elated to partner wit

Drone strike in Baghdad kills high-ranking militia commander: Officials

A US drone strike hit a car in the Iraqi capital Wednesday night, killing three members of the powerful Kataib Hezbollah militia, including a high-ranking commander, officials said. The strike came on a main thoroughfare in the Mashtal neighborhood in eastern Baghdad. A crowd gathered as emergency response teams picked through the wreckage. A U.S. official familiar with the matter said that a senior Kataib Hezbollah commander was targeted in a U.S. strike on Wednesday in Iraq. The official was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity. Two officials with Iran-backed militias in Iraq said that one of the three killed was Wissam Mohammed Abu Bakr al-Saadi, the commander in charge of Kataib Hezbollah's operations in Syria. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to journalists. The strike came amid roiling tensions in the region and days after the U.S. military launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria

TechEagle partners with 10 Aiims for fast medicine delivery via drones

Drone logistics company TechEagle on Monday said it has entered into collaborations with 10 AIIMS for the fast delivery of medicines. "TechEagle's nationwide impact is underscored by...collaborations with 10 AIIMS & INI's hospitals, swiftly implementing drone services and setting new range and speed records," the company said in a statement. In a significant trial, TechEagle transported a medical payload of up to five kilogram to rural primary health centres at AIIMS Rajkot and AIIMS Mangalagiri. "At TechEagle, we see a future where drones play a key role in solving India's healthcare challenges. The quick implementation of BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) drone delivery services in 10 AIIMS & INI's hospitals underlines our commitment to improving healthcare logistics for our country with safety and reliability," TechEagle founder and CEO Vikram Singh Meena said. TechEagle had earlier said its drone transported essential tuberculosis medicine in just 34 minutes. During its .

Partnership with India is one of most consequential relationships, says US

America's partnership with India is among the most consequential ones, the Biden administration said Thursday hours after it notified the Congress of its decision to sell 31 armed drones to India at an estimated cost of nearly USD 4 billion. "I would say that our partnership with India is one of our most consequential relationships. We work closely with India on our most vital priorities," State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference. "We have had a close working relationship with the (outgoing Indian) ambassador (Taranjit Singh Sandhu), have been able to work with him on a number of those shared priorities, including the crucial role India plays in ensuring a free open Indo-Pacific that is connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient," Miller said. "We wish him well in his future endeavours and look forward to welcoming his replacement," he said. In response to a question, Miller said Secretary of State Antony Blinken has a close working

EAD, ADQ sign pact with Dendra to leverage advanced seeding drones

This partnership will support EAD's initiatives in assessing the condition of terrestrial and coastal habitats and increasing environmental information about them

'Attacks on ships in Red Sea to affect crude oil flow from West Asia'

Iran-backed Houthi attacks lead to rerouting of vessels which can result in higher oil prices

Cabinet approves Rs 1,261 cr scheme to provide drones to 15,000 women SHGs

Centre to bear 80 per cent of the cost of drone estimated at Rs 10 lakh

Garuda Aerospace secures 2nd type certificate for medium category drones

Drone manufacturer Garuda Aerospace has secured the second type certificate for medium category drones from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the company said on Tuesday. The certificate for the medium category drones marks a pivotal step in propelling Garuda Aerospace to new heights of growth and scalability, company founder and CEO Agnishwar Jayaprakash said. The certification showcases Garuda Aerospace's dedication to pioneering advancements in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle technology, reinforcing its commitment to meeting stringent regulatory standards. "We are pleased to receive a second Type Certificate for our Medium Category Drones from DGCA. Securing this second type certificate for our medium category drones mark a pivotal step in propelling Garuda Aerospace to new heights of growth and scalability," Jayaprakash said in a statement.

Optiemus Infracom forays into drone manufacturing for domestic, global mkt

Electronic manufacturing company Optiemus Infracom on Friday said it has forayed into end-to-end drone production business targeting both domestic and global markets. The drone business will be handled by the company's new division Optiemus Unmanned Systems (OUS). Optiemus will design, develop, manufacture and market the drones, the company said in a regulatory filing on Friday. "With a goal to achieve up to 65 per cent indigenisation within a year of launch, OUS aims to make its products export-ready, expand offerings in smarter payloads, and enhance product autonomy with a broader range of unmanned vehicles for various terrains," the filing said. Optiemus will invest Rs 25 crore in the research and development of drones which will target a wide range of applications, including defence, healthcare, agriculture, logistics, mining, railways, and oil and gas. "Optiemus Unmanned Systems is committed to design and manufacture reliable unmanned systems for today and tomorrow. As data ..

ICMR delivers medications via drone across rough Himachal terrain

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) successfully transported more than 100 units of essential medications for 20 km in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh using a drone on Thursday as part of a feasibility study, officials said. In line with the national mission to advance India's drone ecosystem, the ICMR is currently conducting a feasibility study in Lahaul and Spiti district to explore the transportation of vital medical resources, including medications, diagnostic blood samples and sputum, via drones. Drones are playing an increasingly critical role in healthcare, particularly in emergency response scenarios, where they facilitate the swift delivery of vaccines, medications and other essential supplies to remote and inaccessible areas, the ICMR said in a statement. The ICMR's endeavour aims to streamline the distribution of essential medical provisions from regional hospitals in Keylong to more than eight primary health centres (PHCs) in the region. "During

All measures in place to counter drone threat, any eventuality: IAF

The Indian Air Force has put all measures in place to counter the threat of drones from across the Indo-Pak border in Jammu, a senior IAF official said, adding that it is prepared for all eventualities. The official added that most operations undertaken by IAF in the region have been successful. "See we are prepared for any eventuality and all measures are in place," Air Officer Commanding (AoC) Jammu, Air Commodore S S Rawat told reporters here to a question on drone threats. On being asked about the success rate of IAF's surveillance operations, Rawat said most of the operations are successful. The IAF is deployed for such operations in coordination with the Army, Rawat added. On the flash floods in Sikkim floods, the AoC said security forces and the administration are doing their best. "Whatever is possible is being done. We have sympathies with them, he said. Another official added that the IAF personnel are trained for such rescue and relief operations. AoC is empowered to ..

Rajnath Singh inaugurates Bharat Drone Shakti show at Hindon airbase

Singh opened the mega drone show and also watched a few aerial demonstrations of the drones. Later, he also visited the exhibition area and some of the stalls