Established in 2007, ideaForge has etched its name as a trailblazer in the domain of UAV solutions, revolutionizing diverse industries with state-of-the-art capabilities. And hideaave made a significant impact across various sectors, including land surveying, mining, oil and gas operations, anti-terror efforts, border security, coastal surveillance, and crime prevention.
The company holds 5th position in global rankings for dual-use drone manufacturers and the acquisition of seven new patents. “With the largest operational deployment of indigenous UAVs across India, ideaForge boasts an impressive record of a manufactured drone taking off every five minutes on average for surveillance and mapping. To date, customers have completed over 4,20,000 flights using our UAVs,” says Ankit Mehta, CEO, ideaForge.
Following are excerpts from an exclusive interaction with Ankit Mehta, CEO, ideaForge:
The drones that the company is providing for various sectors, are these made in India or assembled in India? How much is the indigenous content?
Our drones are designed, developed, and manufactured entirely in India. However, we do source certain components globally while keeping security considerations in mind, to ensure adherence to the stringent technological standards. In fact, we are the biggest proponents of the indigenisation of drone technology in the country and have been actively advocating for indigenisation to be one of the selection criteria in government procurement programs for a long time. This underscores our unwavering commitment to indigenous innovation and self-reliance, aligning perfectly with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. In addition to finding domestic sources for components, we are also spending considerable time and resources on developing a domestic supplier base for currently imported items to reduce import dependency.
As the only significant contributor to a substantial amount of indigenisation and intellectual property creation in the country, ideaForge holds a unique position in driving technological self-sufficiency in this technology area.
ideaForge recently completed the acquisition of seven new patents. What are these patents for?
Our endeavor has always been to push the boundaries of innovation and technological advancement and the fresh grant of seven patents from the pool of our Patent applications is a testament to that goal. Our patents encompass various facets of UAV technology such as the autopilot system, propulsion system, flight stability and precision, endurance and reliability, and these patents are granted in India as well as globally. Our patents collectively underscore the company’s position as a leader in UAV technology, driving innovation and excellence in the industry.
To date, customers have completed over 4,20,000 flights using our UAVs – who are your customers?
The company has cultivated robust partnerships across government and private sectors, reflecting the versatility and reliability of our UAV solutions. Within the defence segment, our drones serve as vital assets for all of the Indian Defence Forces, contributing to a spectrum of critical missions with unwavering efficacy. Furthermore, all the Central Armed Police Forces rely on our UAV technology to bolster operational capabilities across diverse scenarios. In the realm of law enforcement, several state police departments benefit from our UAV solutions, utilizing them extensively for security, traffic and crowd management, particularly during public events and emergencies.
Beyond this, our UAVs find utility in various governmental departments such as the Survey agencies, for helping create property cards under the SVAMITVA Scheme or for creating land survey records. Moreover, we play a pivotal role in disaster management efforts, with our drones deployed by Disaster Management Agencies in critical search and rescue operations during natural calamities such as the Nepal earthquake, Karnataka floods, Uttarakhand flash floods, and Pune landslides. Privately, we collaborate with the industry to aid in security and mapping use cases.
What do you think about the rapidly evolving landscape of drone technology and its implications across various sectors?
The drone technology landscape is rapidly evolving, marking the advent of a significant revolution with far-reaching implications across various sectors. The Indian drone market is projected to grow from US$ 43M by FY22 to US$ 812M by FY27, indicating the escalating importance of this technology. Drones have emerged as an indispensable tool in sectors such as defence, law enforcement, agriculture, and delivery services, showcasing their versatility and reliability in diverse applications.
Technological advancements, notably in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision, have empowered drones to seamlessly perform complex tasks, driving their growing significance in modern industries. This evolution presents substantial opportunities for innovation and growth, compelling us to continuously push the boundaries of drone technology to meet the evolving needs of our customers across sectors. Drones also emerge as a highly promising technology, poised to revolutionize public service delivery, in the realm of Governance infrastructure. It provides effective solutions to law enforcement challenges along with playing a crucial role in addressing civic issues. Therefore, fostering a future where technology seamlessly converges with Governance, creating a landscape of enhanced efficiency and innovation.
Lastly, in the interim budget, the government has announced funds for Deep-Tech. What are your views on this?
We commend the vision outlined in the Interim Budget 2024-25. The introduction of a new scheme focusing on fortifying deep-tech technologies for defence aligns with the ‘Atmanirbharta’ initiative, signaling a significant development for the Defence and even the Drone Technology industry. The emphasis on technology’s role and the call for innovation aligns with our understanding of the evolving landscape.
The Defence and space sectors are crucial drivers of technological progress, and a robust policy foundation and supportive ecosystems are essential for cutting-edge initiatives, particularly in the drone sector. Recognizing the economic potential in defence technologies, this initiative presents an opportune moment to prioritize and advance our nation’s capabilities. For emerging startups in the defence sector, strategic emphasis on agility, innovation, and collaboration, especially within the drone space, is advisable. The dynamic landscape requires nimble approaches, pushing boundaries to create transformative solutions. Collaborative efforts with the government, industry peers, and research institutions can accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge drone technologies.
The 50-year interest-free loan totaling Rs. 1 lakh crore not only stimulates innovation but also represents a vital catalyst for the Defence industry and technology sectors. Anticipated outcomes include strengthened research and innovative endeavors, which are poised to enhance India’s standing as a global technology frontrunner over the next decade.
