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Defence Drones Kamikaze Drones

Army Will Acquire 850 Indigenous Kamikaze Drones Worth Rs 2000 Crore

The Indian Army, in a move to improve its military prowess, will acquire 850 kamikaze drones worth Rs 2000 crore. Leveraging lessons from India's ‘Operation Sindoor’, the Indian Armed Forces is strengthening its defence forces. The acquisition will be cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council later this month, will be a big step in India's approach to contemporary warfare.  According to reports, indigenous drones, sourced from domestic manufacturers, will equip the Army, Navy, and Air Force with pioneering technology to tackle emerging threats. The deal is another example of India's push for self-sufficiency in defence production, aligning with the government's 'Make in India' initiative. As   India is looking to strengthen its position in the region, the kamikaze drones will provide an edge, allow precise strikes and minimizing collateral damage. The Army's experience during Operation Sindoor, where drones were key in targeting terrorist hideouts, has informed this decision. The Indian Army, with plans to invest 30,000 loitering munitions in the near future, is bringing a key change in warfare competencies. The drones will be integrated into infantry battalions, with each unit forming an Ashni platoon dedicated to working these unmanned aerial vehicles.  What Are Kamikaze Drones? The officials stated that Kamikaze drones are drones designed to hover over a target area before crashing into it with explosive payloads. They are cost-effective, high-precision tools used for surveillance and strikes, diminishing collateral damage. As officials stated, the Army plans to have each infantry battalion include an Ashni platoon accountable for operating these drones against enemy locations and in counterinsurgency roles, with the induction of about 30,000 loitering munitions in the near future. Kamikaze Drones Effectiveness During Operation Sindoor The Indian Army has formerly used drones efficiently during Operation Sindoor, targeting terror headquarters inside Pakistan and neutralizing 7-9 terrorist targets. The drones also took on the Pakistan Army, causing enormous damage and casualties. The drones will be sourced from indigenous manufacturers, aligning with India's push for self-dependence in defence technology. Companies such as InsideFPV Ventures and Maharshi Industries are leading the expansion of affordable, high-precision kamikaze drones priced at about $400 per unit. Source: Republic Bharat

Saheel Singh 29 Dec 2025

Drone Products Drone Production

Budget 2026 Will Give Drone Shakti a Boost through an Incentive-Based Manufacturing Scheme

The Budget 2026 will announce a manufacturing-focused incentive scheme under the Drone Shakti initiative to accelerate indigenous production of drones through a two-tier subsidy framework, government sources said. “The awareness is to give drone manufacturing the kind of lasting fiscal backing that lets companies invest with certainty, instead of relying only on output-based incentives.” The scheme will mark one of the government’s major multi-year fiscal commitments to the drone industry, emphasizing its intent to position India as a global manufacturing hub for civilian drones. The proposed scheme will run for five years and be aligned with the 16 Finance Commission period, may include a fiscal commitment of about Rs 10,000 crore. The finance ministry has cleared the proposal in principle and will approve spending for the full duration upfront, sources said. Unlike the production-linked incentive scheme for drones and drone components, which is linked to value addition and output, the new proposal combines investment-linked incentives with manufacturing support to help build scale in the industry. Two-tier subsidy structure Under the proposed agenda, the first layer of incentives will offer a 10–15 per cent subsidy on capital spending for setting up drone manufacturing units and related infrastructure, sources said. The support will be subject to conditions, including a minimum turnover threshold and time-bound completion of investments. “The idea is to support capacity creation upfront. Companies will be essential to complete capital investment within a certain period of joining the scheme, so that manufacturing capacity comes on stream quickly,” the source said. The second layer will offer a 10–15 percent subsidy linked to manufacturing output, aimed at making domestically produced drones more cost-competitive against imports. It aims to bridge the pricing gap that Indian manufacturers face, as more than a few critical components are still sourced from abroad. “The manufacturing-linked incentive is meant to help Indian firms compete on price. Without some output support, locally made drones struggle to match imported alternatives,” the source said. Graded incentives, late entry allowed The scheme will include a graded incentive structure for companies that join later. Early entrants may obtain the full benefit. “The incentive will be tapered for late entrants, but they will not be put at a disadvantage. The scheme coverage will remain for the full five-year period,” the source said. Local sourcing norms mandatory To address India’s requirement for imported drone components, the scheme will mandate domestic content requirements of about 50–60 per cent as a main eligibility criterion. Companies that depend heavily on imported components will not be able to benefit from all the benefits. “There was a detailed discussion on domestic content. Local sourcing will be obligatory to guarantee genuine manufacturing, not just assembly,” the source said. While the import of fully built drones is limited, Indian manufacturers continue to depend on imported components such as sensors, avionics and propulsion systems, limiting value addition within the nation. Separate from drone PLI Officials said the planned scheme will run distinctly from the existing drone PLI, which was launched with a smaller expenditure and a focus on value addition rather than upfront investment support. “This is not a replacement for PLI. It is a complementary scheme that identifies the requirement for capital support and scale in a sunrise sector,” the government source said. The Drone Shakti initiative was proclaimed in the Budget 2022–23, as part of the government’s broader push to advance the drone ecosystem. The initiative focused mainly on endorsing drone acceptance and services instead of direct manufacturing subsidies. Under Drone Shakti, the government will encourage the use of drones across sectors, such as agriculture, land records, infrastructure, logistics, and mapping, while supporting drone start-ups and skill development. A key thrust was the promotion of Drone-as-a-Service models, allowing farmers, small businesses and government departments to access drone services without owning the equipment. However, Drone Shakti does not offer direct fiscal incentives for setting up manufacturing facilities. Source: Money Control

Saheel Singh 24 Dec 2025

Drone Surveillance Aircraft Training

Indian Navy to Boost Surveillance With MQ-9 Drones, C-295 Aircraft

Boosting Surveillance Capabilities The Indian Navy will improve its surveillance competencies with the induction of indigenous aircraft, said Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi on 18 th December 2025. Speaking to ANI, Admiral Tripathi was of the opinion that the Navy is receiving 31 MQ-9 drones, with 15 for the Navy and 8 each for the Army and Air Force. He added that the Navy is also teaming up with the Coast Guard to obtain the C-295 base aircraft. Also, Admiral Tripathi said the Navy is considering acquiring 6 additional P-8I aircraft to meet its total need of 27. "We need 31 MQ-9s, 15 for the Navy and 8 each for the Army and Air Force... We are looking forward to their induction in 3 or 4 years.   Parallelly, we are looking at one more indigenous case, in which we have teamed up with the Coast Guard for the base aircraft, the C-295. We want to induct 15 medium-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, and the Coast Guard wants to induct 9 triple MA aircraft. Furthermore, we are considering inducting 6 more P-8Is, as the total requirement is 27. We have gaps in that sense... That case is also progressing,". MH-60R 'Osprey' Squadron Commissioned The Indian Navy commissioned its second MH-60R helicopter squadron, INAS 335, at INS Hansa, Goa, in the presence of Adm Dinesh K Tripathi. Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said that the squadron will add great value to combat readiness and improve the Navy's anti-submarine warfare competence. "Today is a significant day for us and for the Navy that we have commissioned INAS 335 'Osprey', the first operational squadron. One squadron we commissioned in March 2024 in Cochin was the training squadron. This new squadron will add prodigious value to the combat readiness of our surface platforms at sea because it will improve anti-submarine warfare capability, anti-surface warfare capability, maritime domain awareness capability and will also be a deterrent to any platforms, particularly the surface and subsurface platforms of our adversary," the Navy Chief told ANI. Details on the MH-60R Platform He also praised the MH-60R helicopters and expressed enthusiasm about the new deal with the US to procure 24 extra helicopters. "MH-60R is a very potent platform. We are very content that we signed the contract for the induction of 24 MH-60R," he said. The MH-60R is an all-weather, day-and-night-capable helicopter designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare, Search and Rescue, Medical Evacuation, and Vertical Replenishment. These helicopters will augment the Indian Navy's integral aviation competencies on the Western Seaboard. Source: MSN

Saheel Singh 22 Dec 2025

Drone Products Drone Production

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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Russia Deepens Ties with India, Seeks Joint Drone Production – ISW

The Kremlin is increasingly relying on India to compensate for its labour shortage and also wants New Delhi to support the production of drones that Russia seeks to use in the war, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The head of the Russian state defence conglomerate Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, said on December 5 that Russia is in talks with India to localize the production of Russian drones, including the Lancet, in India. The day before, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin said in an interview with India Today that Russia not only sells weapons to India but also transfers technologies for shipbuilding, rocket production, and the aviation sector. The dictator claims that India is using Russian Su-57 fighter jets and is producing T-90 tanks and jointly developed BrahMos missiles on its territory. Analysts note that such statements by Putin and the head of Rostec indicate that Moscow may be considering expanding cooperation with India to include joint drone production. Russia is likely planning to use these drones in its war against Ukraine, possibly in exchange for transferring new Russian technologies and combat experience to India. It is also known that a delegation from the Smolensk FPV Drone Piloting Centre has arrived in India to carry out tasks within the framework of the Russian-Indian strategic partnership. On December 5, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said that Russia can accept an "unlimited number" of labour migrants from India under a new bilateral labour mobility agreement signed that day in New Delhi. According to Manturov, the Russian industrial sector is short 800,000 workers, and the trade, construction, and services sectors are short 1.5 million workers. The deputy prime minister said it will take Russia more than a year to create the conditions needed to receive, employ, and process the documents of Indian migrants. At the same time, the head of the occupation authorities in the Kherson region, Volodymyr Saldo, said on December 6 that possible cooperation with Indian partners was discussed at a recent international investment forum in Moscow. Saldo claims that the occupation authorities are ready to attract Indian labour migrants to “strengthen the region’s agricultural industry” and are prepared to cooperate with Indian partners to integrate the occupied Kherson region into “international trade corridors.” Russia–India cooperation As a reminder, India has faced economic and trade losses due to its cooperation with Russia, predominantly in the milieu of Russia’s war against Ukraine and sanctions pressure from the US and the EU. Because of its close ties with Russia, the US in 2025 raised tariffs on most Indian goods to 50 per cent, including “additional” tariffs linked to purchases of Russian energy resources and weapons. This has negatively affected Indian manufacturers who target the American market. For this reason, in December 2025, India plans to reduce exports of Russian oil to the lowest level in the past three years. Earlier, RBC-Ukraine stated that Indian energy giant Reliance Industries totally stopped imports of Russian oil on November 20. As an alternative, the Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries acquired millions of barrels of oil from Middle Eastern nations and the US after American sanctions were imposed on two Russian producers. In addition, the media reported that India plans to discuss purchasing Russian fighter jets and missile defence systems during a visit by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. It is also known that India will lease a nuclear attack submarine from Russia for 10 years. The deal is worth 2 billion dollars. Source: RBC Ukraine

Saheel Singh 08 Dec 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

Drone Pilot Drone Products

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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Drone Kabaddi will be Launched in Uttarakhand

In Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army's military action against terrorist bases in Pakistan involved the use of indigenous drones to a large extent. In this regard, the Uttarakhand government has conceptualized the sport of Drone Kabaddi to provide technical training to the state's youth and offer them employment opportunities. In future, trained players can be utilized as drone pilots in crisis situations like disasters, war exercises, etc. Drone Kabaddi is likely to be launched in Uttarakhand for the first time in the country. All preparations for its rules and drone selection have been completed. It will launch soon. Being a mountainous state, Uttarakhand is highly vulnerable from a disaster perspective. Sometimes, situations arise where human power cannot be utilized even if desired. In such complex situations, only technology is useful. However, technology also requires skilled personnel to operate and control it. Similarly, the Sports Department has signed an agreement with D-Town Robotics Pvt., a drone manufacturing company. With the technical support of Drone Kabaddi, a Kabaddi module has been integrated to provide drone training to young people, enabling them to train with drones while fully engaging in the game. Youth From All Walks of Life Can Participate Youth from all walks of life can participate in Drone Kabaddi. District, state, national, and international competitions will be held, allowing players to showcase their talent. A minimal fee will be charged for training, and they will be trained by skilled coaches. Rules of Drone Kabaddi Drone Kabaddi is played inside a net court. One drone acts as an attacker on one side, while five drone defenders are on the other side, with two drones remaining in reserve so that the reserves can be used if a drone is touched. The game is played in five sets of 30 seconds each. In each set, the attacking drone must enter the defender's court, touch them, and then return. In this, the attacker's points increase, and if they are unable to touch the defender, the defender's points increase. If the attacker penetrates the defender's court to the end and returns without touching them, bonus points are earned. The drone is operated entirely by players using a remote. These drones are entirely covered, so they are not damaged by collisions or falls. Sourc e: Dainik Jaagran

Admin 18 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

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India Turns Battlefield Into a ‘Drone Factory’ With New Mobile Fabrication Units

India is taking drone warfare to the next level with mobile drone factories that can print, build and launch drones wherever the mission demands. The initiative comes from Zuppa and Divide By Zero Technologies (DBZ), teamed up to create containerized fabrication units capable of producing drones on the spot. These compact, deployable drone labs slash drone production time from weeks to just hours. By moving manufacturing to the field, the idea also aims to decrease reliance on central amenities and lengthy logistics, improving response speed throughout both combat and disaster operations. “This collaboration is a major step in the direction of Atmanirbhar Bharat in frontline technology,” said Venkatesh Sai, Zuppa co-founder and technical director. “By allowing rapid, on-demand drone manufacturing right at the field, we are giving defence forces unparalleled autonomy and adaptability.” Factory on the Frontline The Rapid Fabrication Container Unit merges DBZ’s industrial-grade 3D printing expertise with Zuppa’s AI-enabled drone systems and mission software. Together, they form a moveable production hub that can function in isolated or risky areas. The setup supports three core tasks: field-based drone creation for tactical, surveillance and logistics roles, repair or modification of present drones, and instantaneous deployment through Zuppa’s autonomous flight network. “Our partnership with Zuppa alters mobile, autonomous manufacturing into reality, bringing production competence directly to the battlefield,” added Swapnil Sansare, founder and CEO of DBZ. Source: The Defense Post

Admin 07 Nov 2025

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India Awards USD 32.5M to Zen Technologies for Advanced Anti-Drone Upgrades

India has awarded 2.89 billion rupees in contracts to Zen Technologies to upgrade its anti-drone systems. The company will complete the upgrades within a year, integrating lessons learned from recent frontline operations such as Operation Sindoor, a May counterterrorism offensive by India in Jammu and Kashmir. The contracts enhance both hardware and software adaptability, a capability that foreign systems frequently cannot offer due to export controls and vendor limitations. The advancements target two critical vulnerabilities: physical hardware compromise and software-level malware attacks, the kind seen in the Stuxnet operation that halted Iran’s nuclear program and in the 2024 pager attacks that killed and wounded hundreds of Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. Zen Managing Director and Chairman Ashok Atluri said that the company is keeping India one step ahead in the face of rising threats. “Buying Indian-designed, developed and manufactured products is not an option, it’s a prerequisite for survival as drone and cyber threats keep evolving,” he said. Other Anti-Drone Systems Development in India India is actively deploying a range of indigenous counter-drone solutions to protect against emerging challenges. India’s DRDO, in collaboration with BHEL has developed the D4 system, which integrates radar, RF sensors, electro-optical/infrared cameras, jammers and laser-based directed energy weapons. It provides both mobile and static configurations and is intended for rapid induction across the armed forces. Adani Defence & Aerospace and DRDO revealed a vehicle-mounted counter-drone system in February 2025 that combines radar, SIGINT/EO sensors, jammers, a 7.62-mm gun, and a high-energy laser. Intended for mobility, it can protect critical areas at ranges of up to 10 kilometres in varied terrain. Private companies, such as Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, are developing systems like the Bhargavastra micro-missile anti-drone system, designed to intercept loitering munitions and autonomous drone swarms. These systems validate India’s mounting capability to address sophisticated drone threats beyond commercial drones. Source: The Defense Post

Admin 07 Nov 2025