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Varanasi Police Deploy New-Generation Drones for Kashi Tamil Sangamam Security

The Varanasi district police have stepped up surveillance for the ongoing fourth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam by deploying an advanced fleet of new-generation drones. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Varanasi Commissionerate Saravanan Thangamani, a dedicated 10-member drone team is ensuring the safety and protection of the people visiting the venue. "We are using new-generation drones. Last year, there was drone use, but it was minimal. We are using the three types of drones, which are mini drones, micro drones and nano drones," Mr Thangamani told the  PTI . Highlighting the role of the drone fleet, Mr Thangamani said the Mini Drone is unique as it can be self-charged, allowing round-the-clock operations unlike other battery-dependent models. "This drone can run 24x7 and ensure constant surveillance in a region," Mr Thangamani explained. On the 'Macro Drone', the official said it is capable of monitoring a vast 2 km area. "It can cover a larger area and will be used in the jungle behind the NaMo Ghat (multi-level riverfront development on the Ganges in Varanasi)," said Mr Thangamani, who is also the Nodal Officer for the Kashi Tamil Sangamam event. NaMo Ghat is the site where Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 was inaugurated by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, on December 2. The third kind of drone is 'Nano Drones', which can collect images of suspicious activity. Citing an example, Mr Thangamani said if a car is parked in an area for an unusually long time, this drone scans the vehicle and shares the image with the police. "Based on the images it shares, we take action." He also noted that the surveillance data from the three drones is immediately shared with senior police officials for necessary action. Source: The Hindu

Saheel Singh 08 Dec 2025

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JSW Setting up USD 90 Million Military Drone Plant in Hyderabad

The USD 23 billion JSW Group is setting up an unmanned aerial systems manufacturing facility with an investment of about Rs. 850 crores at the Maheshwaram electronics manufacturing cluster, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The USD 23 billion JSW Group is setting up an unmanned aerial systems manufacturing facility with $90 million investment at the Maheshwaram electronics manufacturing cluster, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. It has entered into a strategic partnership with the US-based defence technology firm Shield AI to manufacture Shield AI’s Group 3 unmanned aerial system under a long-term licensing arrangement for technology transfer. A fixed-wing, vertical take-off and landing long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance platform, V-BAT, is currently deployed by multiple armed forces globally, including the U.S. Marine Expeditionary Units. The manufacturing, at the facility of JSW Defence, is expected to commence by the last quarter of 2026, JSW Group said after the foundation stone laying ceremony in which IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu, JSW Group’s Parth Jindal and others participated. The USD 23 billion JSW Group is setting up an unmanned aerial systems manufacturing facility with an investment of about Rs. 850 crores at the Maheshwaram electronics manufacturing cluster on the outskirts of Hyderabad. It has entered into a strategic partnership with US-based defence technology firm Shield AI to manufacture the latter’s Group 3 unmanned aerial system under a long-term licensing arrangement for technology transfer. A fixed-wing, vertical take-off and landing long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) platform, V-BAT, is currently deployed by multiple armed forces globally, including the U.S. Marine Expeditionary Units. The manufacturing, at the facility of JSW Defence, is expected to commence by the last quarter of 2026, JSW Group said after the foundation stone laying ceremony in which IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu, JSW Group’s Parth Jindal and others participated. The investment will enable JSW to establish a local supply chain and create an advanced facility in India for manufacturing, assembling and testing V-BAT. The effort will enable large-scale production of V-BATs in India to serve the needs of the Indian Armed Forces and also function as a global production hub, the Group said. Project Will Create over 300 High-Value jobs. The facility is spread over 16 acres and will have a capacity to manufacture 300 V-BAT drones annually. It will house production, repair, testing, administrative, and support infrastructure. This project will create over 300 high-value jobs, the Minister’s office said. “From manufacturing the globally renowned V-BAT at scale, the facility will lay the foundation for an integrated, end-to-end UAS ecosystem, from advanced manufacturing to operator training, manufacturing repair and operations (MRO) and sustained innovation. This project stands among the most significant defence technology transfers to India,” Mr Jindal said. On the Group’s defence ventures, he said the drone manufacturing project follows the JSW Gecko Motors joint venture, with a Ukrainian company, to make special mobility vehicles in Chandigarh. The facility was commissioned about 18 months ago and supplied nearly 200 vehicles to the Indian Army and the United Nations. In the same facility, JSW has another JV with an American firm to manufacture off-road vehicles. Total Rs 1,200 Crore investment The Group will invest a total of Rs. 1,200 crores in defence ventures, including Rs. 320 crores for technology transfer from Shield. He said India Armed Forces were evaluating the UAS from a localization perspective. The initial order is for importing eight UAS through the emergency procurement route, which is directly catered for by Shield AI. The larger orders will be placed once the facility is up, he said. Telangana Aims to be a Defence Hub The IT and Industries Minister said Telangana is working towards positioning itself as a strategic defence hub of India by developing a strong ecosystem for unmanned systems and advanced defence manufacturing. The State government is preparing a comprehensive roadmap to transform Telangana into a global leader in defence innovation, with a special focus on unmanned aerial systems, drone technologies and aerospace manufacturing. There are plans to establish a drone manufacturing and testing corridor to boost indigenous defence capabilities, Mr Sridhar Babu said. Source: The Hindu

Saheel Singh 08 Dec 2025

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India’s 900-km Loitering UAV to Fly on Homegrown Wankel Engines, Reducing Foreign Reliance

India is planning to develop cutting-edge long-range drones and 150-kilogram class loitering munitions powered by indigenous Wankel rotary engines, strengthening its strategic drive toward self-reliance in defence technologies. The initiative will reduce the need for foreign suppliers of propulsion systems. This segment is a bottleneck in India’s drone ecosystem, despite key progress in domestic airframe, software and weapons development. The first system to appear from this effort is a 150-kilogram loitering munition-drone hybrid platform, tentatively named ‘Loitering Munition-UAV’. Early specifications specify a standoff strike range of about 900 kilometres and an in-air time of about 9 hours per mission. If validated in trials, the platform would fall into the long-loiter category, providing deep-reach precision-strike capability, extended surveillance, target tracking and instantaneous engagement flexibility. The CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories will partner with a private company to advance and manufacture long-range drones, marking a shift toward deeper industry participation in strategic drone programmes. The partnership signals a move away from largely PSU-led prototypes to a model combining a state-backed R&D strength with private-sector speed, scale and production capability. Wankel rotary engines are a favoured power source for small- and medium-sized drones worldwide because of their compact size, high power-to-weight ratio, low vibration signature and mechanical simplicity compared to traditional piston engines. India’s decision to localize this technology is significant because these engines power many imported loitering systems at present in use or under assessment by the country. Indigenizing the propulsion stack ensures that future Indian unmanned platforms can operate with sovereign supply-chain security, resist geopolitical leverage and integrate more seamlessly with classified mission systems. This would benefit defence PSUs and startups alike by lowering development costs, shortening iteration cycles, and enabling deeper integration with domestically developed strike, navigation and sensor packages. It may also unlock India's export potential in the unmanned-propulsion market, mainly amongst countries seeking non-Western supply alternatives. The headline range figure of 900 kilometers will also depend on aerodynamic efficiency, flight profile optimization, and fuel tank design, making full-scale validation during flight trials essential. The strategic value of the programme lies not only in the 150-kilogram strike platform itself, but in providing a domestic propulsion system that future drone families could inherit. Once flight-tested and production-qualified, the Wankel engine could expand into maritime-surveillance UAVs, swarm-drone nodes and potentially heavier rotary-powered loitering or cruise-type platforms. For now, the announcement carries significant signaling; India is committing to indigenous propulsion in the long-range unmanned-strike segment. The next milestones that will shape market and military confidence will be prototype flight trials, thermal-performance benchmarks, real-world endurance validation and the decision to transition the programme into scaled production.   Source: Indian Express

Saheel Singh 02 Dec 2025

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India's First Fully Mobile, AI-Enabled Anti-Drone Patrol Vehicle Launched

In a substantial upgrade to India's border defence strategy, Indrajaal Drone Defence on 26 November 2025 announced the launch of the 'Indrajaal Ranger', the nation's first Anti-Drone Patrol Vehicle. This innovative, fully mobile, AI-enabled counter-drone system will detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones while they are actively in motion, addressing a critical national security vulnerability. The 'Ranger' is a combat vehicle intended to break away from traditional, stationary anti-drone solutions. Its core competence lies in delivering on-the-move drone detection, instantaneous patrolling and instantaneous interception- a requirement driven by the growing sophistication of cross-border threats. The company's insistence to develop the ADPV was heightened by recent national security incidents that highlighted drones as a key channel for illegal activity. Incidents involving ISI-linked weapon smuggling deep into Indian territory and the reliable neutralization of hundreds of Pakistani drones this year, serving as the main transport for India's massive Rs 3-lakh-crore drug-trafficking network, made the requirement for a fast, mobile response undeniable. Speaking at the launch, Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey (Retd), PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, praised the innovation. "India's youth deserve a safer nation, free from the shadow of international crime networks," said Lt Gen. Pandey. "Technologies like the Anti-Drone Patrol Vehicle are not just machines; they are shields protecting our children, our farmers and our future. With this new Ranger launch, India and the brave men guarding our borders will be truly grateful for such a transformative contribution." The Indrajaal Ranger will deliver a transformative layer of national security. By cutting off logistical supply routes and monetary channels for criminal operations, it weakens recruitment pipelines of smuggling and extremist networks, reinstating a sense of safety and dignity to vulnerable border communities. Indrajaal is an autonomous counter-UAS and air-defence technology company. Its proprietary autonomy engine, SkyOS, fuses multi-sensor intelligence and instantaneous decision-making into a unified C5ISRT framework.  This lets the company create dynamic "security domes" that protect intricate environments, such as airports, refineries, and military formations, at unprecedented scale. The company has already achieved operational success and is well-positioned for national-level rollouts, having obtained ARDTC certification for the disposition of Counter-UAS systems. Source: NDTV

Saheel Singh 28 Nov 2025

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India to Install Anti-Drone Systems at All Airports Due to Rising Security Concerns

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security have decided to install anti-drone systems at all major and minor civil airports across India. The decision was taken in a high-level joint meeting and comes in the wake of increasing security risks and the likelihood of future war-like situations, senior officials said on Sunday. The government’s decision has been influenced by the experience gained during Operation Sindoor, following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 civilians were killed. After the attack, India and Pakistan were involved in a tense military exchange. Indian forces carried out strikes on terrorist bases inside Pakistan and Pakistani drones were flying over Indian territory, several of which were shot down by India’s defence systems. These events highlighted how drones are being used as tools in contemporary warfare and how they pose risks to civilian areas, including airports. While the lasting plan is to cover all airports, officials said the project will be implemented in phases. In the first phase, anti-drone systems will be installed at Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar, Jammu and Srinagar airports. These sites were chosen because they have faced higher security threats and were directly involved in the military escalation. First time anti-drone tech will be used at purely civilian airports This is the first time India will position anti-drone systems at airports handling only civilian passenger traffic. Until now, such systems were primarily used by defence and border security agencies. The systems will help detect, track and neutralize any rogue drone entering airport airspace, a significant step as drones have become effective tools in new-age conflict. The MHA is leading the project, while BCAS has formed a committee to handle planning and execution. This committee includes representatives from: • Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) • Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) • Airport security and technical experts • Other relevant stakeholders The government is at present reviewing the technical specifications of the anti-drone equipment. Once confirmed, the MHA will coordinate with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and direct airport operators to connect systems that meet national security requirements. The government is also studying anti-drone models already in use at key airports abroad to accept the most effective technology. Deadlines for installations at various airports will be set after the specifications are approved. Source: mathrubhumi.com

Saheel Singh 27 Nov 2025

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NIT-C Students Develop Autonomous Drone for Disaster-Relief Operations

Formed in August, the 15-member team will design a compact aerial system capable of assisting rescue agencies during floods, landslides and other climate-induced emergencies, said a release. The project received vital technical and financial backing from Kokos.AI, whose R&D team worked closely with the students to ensure technological precision and a unified implementation. The group, known as Team Paravai, presented the drone at the SAE Aerothon 2025 in Chennai. Weighing 2 kg, the drone has a frame constructed from 3D-printed PA12 and a carbon fiber composite, providing durability and reduced weight. The quadcopter features several features tailored for practical rescue scenarios. The aircraft supports communication over a 1-km range and can stream live video. A LIDAR-based collision-avoidance system helps navigation in complex terrain, while sensors detect human presence up to 15 metres away. The drone can also transport aid packages of up to 200 grams with high drop precision. Its fully autonomous control system decreases the requirement for continuous operator involvement during hazardous operations, the release said. NIT Calicut officials defined the project as a substantial step towards enhancing technology-driven disaster management. Team Paravai will expand the drone’s endurance and incorporate cutting-edge payload capabilities. Source: The Hindu

Saheel Singh 26 Nov 2025

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What’s New in the Proposed Drone Bill 2025?

In September 2025, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation unveiled a Draft Civil Drone Bill, 2025 and the drone industry’s reaction was immediate and visceral. Rather than applause for a long-pending, dedicated drone law, the proposal triggered swift and significant reaction from startups, tech associations and even hobby clubs. Critics argued that the new bill marked a step backwards from the liberal approach that had pushed India’s drone boom since 2021.   Why are Drones So important? The drone sector matters because it can touch many areas, from food production to public safety to healthcare to national security. It’s why India is working on making a booming drone ecosystem and why China is building a low-altitude economy. Before 2021, drones existed in a legal purgatory. The few operators who tried to navigate the system faced 25 forms, 72 fee types and a permission process so opaque that most gave up. The government saw drones as potential security threats, but not much else. Then came the Drone Rules of 2021. The government had become more open to trying out how drones could be configured for the national economy. Now, drones can be used for many purposes and can be of various types, but the rules categorized them and introduced a tiered system based on one simple metric: weight. Nano drones were exempt from registration entirely. This registration gives each drone a “unique registration number”. Hobbyists could also fly micro drones (250g-2kg) without a pilot license. The impact was instant. While drone startups multiplied, the DGCA approved 116 training schools, minting over 16,000 certified pilots. The 120-crore PLI scheme attracted manufacturers, and an import ban on finished drones forced global players to assemble in India. In three years, India went from a drone desert to one of the largest drone markets in the world. The Plot Twist of 2025 In contrast to the 2021 framework, the 2025 bill, while claiming to be more relaxed, is more restrictive. Industry stakeholders have highlighted several problems with it. Universal Registration : Under the new bill, even a small toy drone must be registered before it can be sold. This shifts compliance upstream to manufacturers, who build registration into every product. The toy drone market, worth crores and a gateway for young engineers and students, might shrink as a result. Mandatory Pilot Licensing for Everyone : A person flying a micro-drone would need a Remote Pilot Certificate, just as the self-help group working under the Namo Drone Didi scheme would. For potential entrepreneurs who plan to fly their own drones for testing, this is a letdown. Type Certification Before Manufacturing : No drone can be manufactured, assembled, sold, or operated without DGCA certification. You can’t even build a prototype to test. Criminal Penalties for Paperwork Errors : Flying an unregistered drone is a cognizable offence.   One can be arrested and have one's drone seized without a warrant. Under the 2021 rules, such violations were subject to administrative fines. Universalinsurance : Every operator must have third-party insurance covering 2.5 lakh for death and 1 lakh for injury, on a no-fault basis. For a researcher or a rural SHG operating on a limited budget, this is a tall ask. It seems like the new bill puts a price on innovation, rather than regulating with balance. Why This Matters Beyond Drones The controversy reveals a deeper tension in India’s economic policy. Since 2014, the government has supported “ease of doing business” and “Make in India.” The 2021 drone rules were advancing both those goals. The 2025 bill, though, represents a reversal of that. The US Federal Aviation Administration frees recreational flyers from licensing. The EU’s Open Category requires a simple online test for low-risk drones. China also lets hobbyists fly without pilot certificates. India’s draft bill would make it an outlier. The economic stakes are huge. Agriculture alone seems to need thousands of drones for the Kharif season. The defence sector is building an indigenous drone arsenal worth thousands of crores. Logistics companies are betting on drones that could revolutionize e-commerce delivery. All this needs a pipeline of innovators students tinkering in labs, startups repeating in green zones, SHGs learning by doing. In March 2021, the government notified the UAS Rules, 2021, a predecessor to the existing draft that was so restrictive it was dead on arrival. Industry pushed back so fiercely that within months, the government scrapped it and replaced it with the liberalized Drone Rules we have today. The 2025 draft has faced near-universal criticism. NASSCOM has called for withdrawing the bill entirely. The consultation period, which was set at just two weeks, has been extended. Industry bodies are pushing for precise amendments: restoring R&D exemptions, decriminalizing minor violations, creating a classified penalty system and so on. There is a possibility that the bill will either be heavily revised or, like its 2021 predecessor, quietly shelved. The Ministry of Civil Aviation comprehends that India’s drone dream cannot survive if the very people building it are treated as criminals. This sets a precedent for how India controls emerging technologies, and we’ll be asking this question a lot more as AI and humanoids rise. The 2021 rules showed what happens when regulators trust citizens: innovation explodes and India becomes competitive. The 2025 bill shows what happens when fear trumps that trust. This new bill straddles the old line between regulation and innovation. The question is whether we require regulation that pre-emptively protects us from a future that doesn’t exist or regulation that lets us build it. Source: www.civilaviation.gov.in

Saheel Singh 24 Nov 2025

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ideaForge Wins USD11M Indian Military Drone Deal

India’s military has placed a key new order for IdeaForge’s latest unmanned systems after putting them through demanding trials in electronic-warfare conditions. IdeaForge confirmed that it will supply its next-generation Zolt tactical drone and the SWITCH 2 vertical-takeoff UAV under a capital emergency procurement worth roughly 1 billion rupees, according to a report by the Economic Times. Zolt accounted for about 750 million rupees of the order, following field assessments that tested its performance in high-altitude and heavily jammed environments. SWITCH 2, already in service with the army, received a follow-on order valued at 300 million rupees. Rather than being a routine replenishment, the deal seems tied to India’s broader effort to harden its ISR and precision-delivery capabilities along contested borders. Zolt’s design reflects that shift as the platform is built for long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions and can carry precision payloads. IndiaForge’s Other Deals with India IdeaForge has progressively expanded its footprint across India’s defence and security ecosystem over the past several years. In June 2025, the company secured an emergency order from the government worth 1.37 billion rupees for mini unmanned aerial vehicles. The deal will see ideaForge deliver fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing drones within 12 months. Apart from the military, government agencies, such as the National Disaster Response Force, state police units and infrastructure authorities, have adopted ideaForge drones for tasks ranging from mapping and search-and-rescue to monitoring critical assets.   Source: The Defense Post

Saheel Singh 24 Nov 2025

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NIT Rourkela Develops Autonomous AI-powered Land Mapping Drone System

NIT Rourkela has developed Bhu Manachitra, an autonomous instantaneous land-mapping drone system. The innovation integrates AI and UAV technology to produce land maps without requiring internet connectivity, external computers or manual intervention. The research team has advanced a deep learning model allowing the drone to recognize land features in real time. Different from conventional drones that take images for later processing, BHU-Manachitra completes all analysis on board, making it autonomous and appropriate for remote, disaster-hit regions and areas lacking communication networks. Speaking about the development, Sambit Bakshi, Associate Professor, Computer Science & Engineering, said, “The invented methodology makes use of a lightweight AI model with 2.48 million parameters, which makes Bhu Manachitra suitable for on-board processing in drones. Drones, being intended lightweight for long flight time, cannot carry heavy dedicated hardware for instantaneous image processing, but can carry a tiny processor for executing this lightweight AI model that performs land mapping.” The technology will support multiple sectors. Government agencies can deploy it for land record modernization, urban planning and smart-city development. Agriculture departments can use it to evaluate crop conditions, soil health and irrigation needs, aiding productivity and sustainability. Throughout natural disasters, the system can offer instant terrain intelligence, enabling faster and more effective response planning. Environmental and forest departments can also use it to track deforestation, encroachments and changes in biodiversity. NIT Rourkela and IIT Patna Vishlesan I-Hub Foundation have jointly secured an Indian patent for the technology. TIH IIT Patna sponsored the research under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.   Source : Economic Times

Saheel Singh 24 Nov 2025

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India’s First ‘Sky Factory’ Will Build 1,000 Electric Air Taxis a year in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh will build India’s first “giga-scale” electric air taxi manufacturing cluster in Anantapur, with Karnataka-based Sarla Aviation committing an investment of INR 1,300 crore. The partnership was announced on 18 th November 2025, following the signing of an MoU by Sarla Aviation and the Andhra Pradesh Airport Development Corporation Ltd at the CII Partnership Summit 2025 in Visakhapatnam. The development follows Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s new announcement that the state will begin producing drone taxis in two years. At the centre of the plan is the upcoming “Sky Factory”, which Sarla says will rank amongst the world’s largest facilities for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. In the first phase, the company will invest 330 crores to set up a 150-acre manufacturing and testing campus at Thimmasamduram village in Kalyanadurg mandal. The site will have production lines, R&D labs, composite units and a dedicated 2-km runway for testing and certification. A second phase will increase the facility by another 350 acres. Once fully operational, the Sky Factory will produce up to 1,000 aircraft a year, including Sarla’s Shunya hybrid VTOL and a range of indigenously built electrical harnesses, landing gear systems and composite structures. The project will generate high-value employment by 2027, starting with 40 specialized positions and 140 indirect jobs. Rakesh Gaonkar, cofounder and CTO at Sarla Aviation, said the project is designed to place India at the centre of next-gen aviation. “With the world’s biggest Sky Factory, we want to make India the nerve centre for the next era of flight. This giga facility will shape the aircraft of the future and establish India as a force in sustainable aerial mobility,” he said. APADCL will act as a tactical facilitator to fast-track the project and build the surrounding ecosystem. The state government said the association marks a major step in its push to establish Andhra Pradesh as a hub for cutting-edge manufacturing, aerospace innovation and green mobility.   Source: Business Today

Saheel Singh 21 Nov 2025

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DroneNova India to Launch Nation's First Drone Soccer League at ESFE 2025

DroneNova India Pvt. Ltd. has announced the launch of India's first-ever Drone Soccer League (DSL) and opened enrolments for its on-campus Drone STEM Workshops. The initiatives will be unveiled at the upcoming Education Supply & Franchise 2025, where DroneNova is the official sponsor. The ESFE 2025, scheduled from December 11 to 13, 2025, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, will bring together the most influential leaders, educators and policy influencers shaping the future of Indian education. The event will have the likes of Dr Niranjan Hiranandani as Guest of Honour, alongside distinguished speakers Sonal Pinto, Director, Ryan Group of Schools; Lina Ashar, Founder, Dreamtime Learning and Syed Sultan Ahmed, Chairperson, TAISI. The three-day expo will provide transformative solutions for India's quickly evolving education ecosystem. DroneNova's revolutionary Drone Soccer League, a first-of-its-kind initiative, transforms classrooms into live arenas of innovation. With the help of this program, students will pilot safe, sub-250g drones in a net-caged field, learning physics, coding, teamwork and strategy in an appealing, competitive environment. We want to make India a global hub for drone-based experiential education that inspires curiosity, collaboration and creativity in every learner," said Himansshu Jainn, Founder, DroneNova India. "Every flight is a science lesson; every goal is a leadership moment. With Drone Soccer, students don't just learn concepts, they live them." The program aligns with the priorities of NEP 2020 on experiential learning and 21st-century skill-building, complements Skill India pathways and adheres to India's evolving Drone Policy framework. Intended as a turnkey offering, it offers schools with equipment, safety infrastructure, certified trainers and curriculum-linked modules aligned with NEP, IB MYP, and IGCSE standards, ensuring both academic depth and operational ease. To catalyze a national movement, DroneNova is inviting 10 visionary institutions to join as "Founding Partner Schools" DroneNova India to Launch Nation's First Drone Soccer League at ESFE 2025. Advertorial Disclaimer: visionary institutions to join as Founding Partner Schools, who will obtain exclusive benefits as well as priority workshop scheduling, lifetime partnership privileges and guaranteed regional qualifier slots for the Drone Soccer League. By sponsoring ESFE 2025, DroneNova India will showcase how drones, STEM and sport can converge to redefine classroom learning and inspire a new generation of innovators. Source: ANI

Saheel Singh 19 Nov 2025

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Mumbai To Launch Drone-Based Delivery System in Early 2026

Mumbai is set to launch a futuristic drone delivery system, where residents will receive daily essentials, packages and e-commerce orders via drones. The delivery service will commence in the first quarter of 2026 in a Wadala society, marking Mumbai's first residential drone delivery initiative. Drone Firm, Developer Partner for Smart Urban Living A drone delivery company and a real estate developer have come together to acquaint with smart, sustainable urban living solutions in Mumbai. Skye Air will present the first drone delivery infrastructure in Mumbai for the residents of Wadala's Siddha Sky housing society, with its first skye-pod installation at the society. The residents will receive daily essentials, packages, and e-commerce orders via drones at a designated Skye-Pod zone set up on the premises for safe and seamless collection. According to Skye Air, each drone can cover 1km in 60 seconds, with a maximum range of 30 km, offering residents doorstep deliveries in minutes. The company has claimed to leverage its flagship drone, Skye Ship One, which can lift 10kg of shipment in one flight through coordinated drone corridors, the Skye Tunnel. The first phase of drone-enabled delivery services is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2026, marking Mumbai's first residential drone delivery initiative. Successful Operations in NCR, Bengaluru Skye Air claims to deliver more than 2 lakh monthly shipments in Delhi-NCR, serving 27 locations in Gurugram, two in Faridabad and one each in Ghaziabad and Bengaluru. They have partnered with delivery platforms like Bluedart, Flipkart, Shiprocket, and others, guaranteeing that residents enjoy faster, safer and greener delivery experiences right at their doorstep. The initiative will also reduce traffic congestion, minimise carbon emissions and promote sustainable logistics by taking a portion of last-mile delivery off Mumbai's crowded roads. ‘A Defining Step for Mumbai,’ Says Skye Air CEO Ankit Kumar, founder and CEO of Skye Air, said, "We are marking a defining step in shaping the future of drone-powered deliveries in Mumbai. With advanced skye-pods and AI-based route optimization via Skye UTM, we are setting a new standard for tech-enabled urban mobility, transforming the residential complex into a smart logistics node. This is more than a delivery revolution; it is the beginning of a new era in smart city infrastructure." Drone Delivery to Cut Congestion and Emissions Capt. Eshaan Khullar, vice president at Skye Air, said, "Mumbai, like most major metros, faces rising challenges from traffic congestion, delivery delays and increasing carbon emissions. With over five lakh daily last-mile deliveries across the city, traditional logistics systems are struggling to keep pace with demand. Drone-based delivery offers a futuristic, sustainable solution, making faster, safer, and contactless access to goods while significantly reducing on-road traffic and pollution.” Source : Free Press Journal

Admin 18 Nov 2025

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Indigenous Kaal Bhairav Drone Wins Silver in Croatia

India’s indigenous Kaal Bhairav drone won a silver medal at the 23rd International Exhibition of Innovations 2025 in Zagreb, Croatia. The shows that Made-in-India defence technology is now competing with some of the world’s best. India is announcing itself as a strong player in cutting-edge defence technology, armed with a fully indigenous AI-powered combat drone that can go toe-to-toe with anything Western nations produce. The Kaal Bhairav E2A2 is India's first AI-driven Medium Altitude Long Endurance autonomous combat aircraft. Built completely by the Indian defence company Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace, this drone represents a massive breakthrough in India's military technology capabilities. This drone can fly for 30 hours straight and cover a distance of 3,000 km. Its onboard systems manage mission planning, targeting and coordinated swarm actions independently. Built For Future Warfare This drone is good because it’s extremely adaptable. Its smart onboard systems and multi-sensor setup allow it to strike from more than one direction with precision. Even if foes try to jam its signals, a common tactic that forces drones to land, it can fly and complete its mission. Its modular design makes it worthwhile in various roles, including precise attacks, electronic warfare, wide-area maritime surveillance and real-time information sharing on the battlefield. Most prominently, it provides India with a fully homegrown, affordable option compared to the costly foreign drones. India has clearly entered the global drone race with confidence. 'Made In India, For the World' After winning silver, Flying Wedge CEO Suhas Tejaskanda said, "This victory proves India's technological strength. Our goal is clear: Made in India, for the world." He stressed why this matters strategically: "India must build its own weapons and technology to end foreign dependency. Kaal Bhairav represents completely Indian design, manufacturing, and AI innovation. This strengthens Atmanirbhar Bharat." A New Defence Powerhouse Emerges The Croatia silver medal isn't just an acknowledgement; it's an authentication from the international community. Countries worldwide are reassessing India's tech capabilities. The defence export market, long controlled by the US, Russia and China, now has a formidable new competitor. India has entered the global drone market. Source: Zee News

Admin 17 Nov 2025

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Indian Army, IAF To Induct 16 Laser-Based Anti-Drone Systems With 2 Km Range

At a time when the Indian armed forces are looking to strengthen their capabilities against enemy drones, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army are set to place orders for 16 indigenous drone detection and interdiction systems, which will be capable of targeting unmanned aerial systems at a range of 2 km with a laser and disabling them. The Defence Ministry will clear the DRDO’s Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System, which can hit enemy drones with laser beams at a range of 2 km. The 10-kilowatt laser beam would double the distance at which they can engage drones with a laser, as the first system was capable of targeting at around 1 km only. The DRDO is developing long-range laser-based drone detection and interception systems, as the Pakistanis used a large number of drones in the Operation Sindoor against Indian targets, which were foiled in a big way. The DRDO has also successfully test-fired the direct energy weapon system, which can target systems at a range of 5 km, and is carrying out its trials with the involvement of the Indian defence forces. A 30-kilowatt laser-based direct energy weapon will achieve the 5 km strike capability. India, for the first time this April, showcased its capability to shoot down fixed-wing aircraft, missiles, and swarm drones using a 30-kilowatt laser-based weapon system. By doing so, India joined the list of selected countries, including the US, China, and Russia, that have shown such a capability. The Centre for High Energy Systems & Sciences CHESS, a lab of DRDO, had conducted a successful field demonstration of the Land version of Vehicle-mounted Laser-directed weapon DEW MK-II(A) at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. It successfully defeated the fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and swarm drones, causing structural damage and disabling the surveillance sensors. India needs the IDDS in large numbers, as the role of drones in the recent wars, both within and outside the country, has shown a significant use of drones by enemy forces. DRDO chief Dr Samir V. Kamat had said that the DRDO is also working on other high-energy systems, including high-energy microwaves, electromagnetic pulses, and various technologies that will provide the Star Wars capability. Source: ANI

Admin 17 Nov 2025

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Madhya Pradesh Looks to Become Drone Manufacturing Hub with New Policy

The Madhya Pradesh government has introduced the MP Drone Promotion and Utilization Policy 2025, aiming to boost drone manufacturing and its application across agriculture, logistics, security and governance. The policy offers incentives, including a 40% subsidy, up to Rs. 30 crores for new investments, and a 25% subsidy on lease rents for 3 years. Additional provisions include Rs. 2 crores in R&D grants, skill development incentives under the Seekho-Kamao Yojana, and a waiver of stamp duty and registration fees for industrial land leases. Patent filing, with the government covering Rs. 5 lakhs for domestic patents and Rs. 10 lakhs for international patents, is also supported by this policy. There can be an investment of Rs. 370 crores in the sector over the next five years in Madhya Pradesh, resulting in the creation of 8,000 jobs.  Madhya Pradesh aims to become a leader in the drone industry by harnessing drone technology to attain improved efficiency, cost reduction, and innovation. The state envisions using drones for precision agriculture, including crop monitoring and pesticide spraying, to increase productivity. Drones can augment surveying and mapping, while also reducing costs in logistics and infrastructure. Drones will also be used in surveillance, traffic monitoring, disaster management and law enforcement. With 90% of Indian airspace designated as a "Green Zone" for drone operations, the sector is poised for significant growth, contributing to financial development, job creation and improved service delivery in urban and rural areas.  Source: PIB

Saheel Singh 13 Nov 2025

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Groom Stabbed at Wedding, Cameraman's Drone Chases Attackers for 2 km

A wedding in Amravati turned into a crime scene on 10 th November 2025 when the groom was stabbed. A drone positioned to film the function captured the attack, but it also tracked the accused and his accomplice for almost two kilometres. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. at Sahil Lawn on Badnera Road, during the wedding ceremony of 22-year-old Sujal Ram Samudra. The suspect, identified as Ragho Jitendra Bakshi, approached the groom on stage and stabbed him three times with a knife, injuring him on the thigh and knee. Cameraman Follows Attacker with Drone Camera The Drone became evidence in a violent crime. The incident was captured by a drone camera, which has now become crucial evidence. As stated by eyewitnesses, as panic erupted among guests, the drone operator kept recording and even followed the attacker, capturing his movements for about two kilometres before losing sight of him. Police have since seized the footage, which shows the accused’s face and escape route. Officials have called it key evidence. The attacker, who was wearing an orange hoodie, ran off the lawn, took a bike parked outside and escaped. One more person, wearing a black outfit, joined him as they got on the bike. Both fled while one of the couple's relatives tried to catch them. The drone followed the two attackers for two kilometres, visible in the video. Altercation During DJ Performance Triggered Attack Initial investigation suggested the attack stemmed from a minor dispute during a DJ performance, where the groom and the suspect were pushed while dancing. The argument angered Bakshi, who attacked him violently. Following the stabbing, the accused also attempted to attack the groom’s father before fleeing. Following swift action, a case was registered at Badnera Police Station. SHO Sandeep Hiwale carried out the investigation. The police used the drone footage to trace the suspect and have launched a manhunt. “The accused is escaping, but with the visual evidence, his arrest is imminent,” officers said. The injured groom was admitted to RIMS Hospital, Amravati, after suffering deep wounds, but was stable. Source : India Today

Saheel Singh 13 Nov 2025