By Maj Gen Jagatbir Singh, VSM (Retd)
Drones have been occupying an increasingly dominant position recently. Conflicts in West Asia, Ukraine – Russia and Nagorno-Karabakh have demonstrated the major role played by them, irrespective of the character of the conflict opening up several tactical, operational and strategic possibilities. UAVs used in modern warfare have altered the dynamics of military operations, offering unique advantages and enhanced operational efficiency in various combat scenarios. Apart from this they also have multiple civil uses.
In view of this the Government of India has taken a bold and transformative stance in reshaping the Drone industry, a move that signals a new era of self-reliance and technological advancement. By prioritising the development and use of indigenous drones and components, the government aims to reduce dependency on imports, particularly in the critical Sectors related to national security. This initiative is aligned with India’s broader mission of becoming a global leader in technology, where “Make in India” is more than just a slogan—it’s a fundamental shift towards innovation and self-sufficiency.
Drones Revolutionizing Government Projects in India
Drones have become a cornerstone of innovation in India, particularly through their integration into several recently launched government projects. Their efficiency, accuracy, and ability to collect real-time data have accelerated progress in Sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, disaster management, and urban planning. These Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are enabling India’s vision of a technologically advanced, self-reliant nation, by transforming the way key government initiatives are implemented.
Transforming Agriculture and Infrastructure
In agriculture, drones have been instrumental in schemes like PM-Kisan and SVAMITVA, helping farmers manage resources more effectively. Through land mapping and crop monitoring, drones enable precision farming, leading to better yield predictions and reduced wastage of resources. Additionally, they assist in land ownership mapping under the SVAMITVA scheme, providing digital records and minimizing disputes.
Enhancing Urban Planning and Security
Drones are also contributing to the success of the Smart Cities Mission by improving urban planning, surveillance, and security. Their role in monitoring city infrastructure ensures that maintenance and security measures are both proactive and data-driven. By delivering better oversight, drones help authorities manage traffic, urban development, and emergency responses, making cities more sustainable and resilient.
Empowering Women through the Drone Didi Mission
Another ground-breaking initiative is the Drone Didi mission, which focuses on women’s empowerment through drone technology. This programme, launched by the Government of India, trains women—especially in rural areas—to operate drones, creating new job opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship. By equipping them with UAV skills, the initiative promotes gender inclusivity across Sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, healthcare, and infrastructure.
In a significant boost to rural empowerment and agricultural efficiency, the Government approved the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ Scheme, aimed at providing drones to Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
With an ambitious budget of Rs 1,261 crores, the initiative targets the provision of drones to 14,500 selected SHGs over the period fr0m 2024-25 to 2025-26, enabling them to offer rental drone services for agricultural applications such as spraying liquid fertilisers and pesticides.
Governance and Growth
From modernizing agriculture and infrastructure to empowering women, drones have become an integral part of India’s digital transformation. Their ability to streamline processes, provide real-time data, and create new opportunities for underserved populations is reshaping the nation’s approach to governance and development. The government’s push for indigenous drone technology ensures that these advancements remain secure and sustainable, especially in the aftermath of recent global events, such as the devastating pager explosions in Lebanon.
Military Applications of Drones
Drones are revolutionizing operations by providing Armed Forces with unprecedented capabilities in reconnaissance, target acquisition, and precision strikes. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are pivotal to conducting high-risk missions without endangering human lives thus acting as force multipliers. Besides surveillance, drones can be deployed to strike high-value targets with minimal collateral damage. Future warfare will be increasingly intelligent and data-driven, relying on drones for decision-making, cyber operations, and covert missions. As technology advances, wars will shift away from traditional kinetic engagements to the employment of stand-off weapons.
Indigenisation a National Security Necessity
The recent sequence of pager and walkie talkie explosions in Lebanon, highlighted the dangers of relying on foreign-made components in critical systems. The incident, which caused widespread destruction and loss of life, underscored the vulnerabilities that arise when a nation is overly dependent on external technology sources. For India, this has been a wake-up call, particularly when it comes to the use of foreign drone components in Sectors as sensitive as defence.
The Government has called for a reduction in the use of foreign components in Indian-made drones, citing the need to safeguard national interests. This has led to a renewed focus on developing homegrown technologies that can replace foreign parts, ensuring that Indian drones are built with components that meet the highest standards of safety and security.
Flight Controllers: The Brain of Dones
The Flight Controller is the brain of a drone or UAV, serving as the central unit that governs all critical flight operations. They are responsible for interpreting input from sensors such as gyroscopes, accelerometers, GPS, and barometers, ensuring that the drone maintains stability and executes precise manoeuvres.
The Flight Controller processes real-time data to control motor speeds, adjust altitude, and navigate, making split-second decisions to keep the drone on course. Whether it’s for automated missions, manual piloting, or complex operations like obstacle avoidance and payload management, the flight controller’s algorithms and processing power enable seamless coordination of all onboard systems. Without this sophisticated control unit, drones would lack the intelligence to perform tasks with the precision and reliability needed for modern applications in agriculture, military, or logistics.
Imported Drone Controllers: A Critical Security Concern for India
In the current scenario, over 90% of flight controllers used in small drones in India are imported from China. These controllers, supplied by Chinese Companies, raise significant concerns for India’s security. There is a growing concern that in times of conflict, these Flight Controllers could be manipulated by adversaries. With a single command, hostile forces could potentially override control, compromising India’s defense systems and endangering national security. This highlights the urgent need for the indigenization of all components of drones/UAVs to protect national interests at critical times.
Leading the Charge in Indigenous Drone Manufacturing
Among the Companies leading the charge in this new era of indigenous drone development are HC Robotics and IdeaForge. HC Robotics is one of the few Drone manufacturers in India that focuses on building every component in-house, setting itself apart in a market still largely reliant on imports. From the smallest sensors to the most critical systems, HC Robotics is dedicated to ensuring its Drones are entirely “Made in India.” Similarly, IdeaForge, a pioneering Drone Company, has played a crucial role in advancing India’s UAV industry with its robust, reliable, and innovative Drone solutions, cementing India’s place in the global drone market. Both Companies are at the forefront of the nation’s push towards self-reliance in Drone technology.
The introduction of made-in-India flight controllers manufactured in India is a game-changer. By eliminating the need for imports, HB Robotics has reduced costs and improved the security and reliability of Indian drones. These Flight Controllers are tailored to meet the specific needs of Indian industries, whether in agriculture, defence, or urban planning, and have helped shift the focus back to indigenous manufacturing.
Advanced Imaging and Endurance
Beyond the Flight Controller, HC Robotics has made significant strides in developing advanced gimbal cameras. One of the key features of HC Robotics’ gimbal cameras is their lightweight design, making them highly suitable for drones by enabling longer flight times and improved manoeuvrability. The cameras also offer automatic detection capabilities, allowing drones to identify objects of interest in real-time, whether in complex urban environments or remote rural areas.
As one of the pioneers in drone technology in India, IdeaForge has introduced unique developments, such as extended endurance capabilities and rugged designs that can withstand harsh weather conditions. Their drones are equipped with high-performance imaging systems, including thermal and high-resolution cameras, further enhancing mission-critical applications. Together, these innovations from HC Robotics and IdeaForge are setting new standards for drone versatility and operational efficiency across various sectors.
In conclusion, the focus on indigenous manufacturing aligns perfectly with the Government of India’s vision for an Atma-Nirbhar Bharat and technologically advanced nation. With innovations like the made-in-India flight controller, Indian drone manufacturers are helping to secure India’s place as a global leader in drone technology, while safeguarding national interests.
Author is an Indian Army Veteran.
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