Adani and RIL units plan to scale up drone production in India

Asteria Aerospace, owned by Jio Platforms, Adani Defence and Aerospace, ideaForge Technology, and Dynamatic Technologies, have expressed interest in expanding drone manufacturing or assembly in the country. The development coincides with India's recent liberalisation of drone regulations, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi described as a landmark moment for the country. According to the media, the government is also weighing a proposal to include the drone industry in its successful production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme. New Delhi is currently seeking anchor investors who will pave the way for this industry, which has enormous potential now that the drone rules have been liberalised significantly. Asteria Aerospace is owned by Jio Platforms, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, and Adani Defence and Aerospace is part of the Adani Group. Industry groups praised the policy as fearless and said it would encourage entrepreneurship and create new jobs shortly after the Drone Rules, 2021 were announced on Thursday. The government has liberalised approvals for drone operations and manufacturing as part of its new drone policy. The official told the media that the Drones will be used in all aspects of life, from farming to e-commerce deliveries, according to the plan. In India, this is very feasible, and the government recognises it. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has developed a Digital Sky single-window platform that will serve as a self-service enabler for drone registration and regulatory compliance. Drones will be widespread soon, according to industry body Ficci, which formed a drone working group to prepare a blueprint to aid the government's drone initiative. Drones will be used in defence, infrastructure, supply chain, healthcare, agriculture, and mobility, among other areas. The total addressable market potential for drones in India is estimated to be Rs 3 lakh crore, or $40 billion, according to a Ficci study. The trade group has proposed that the existing PLI scheme be expanded to include drones and their electronic components. This, it claimed, would translate into an aggregate manufacturing potential of Rs 1.77 lakh crore by 2030, assuming a 60% indigenisation component. Image Source Also read: Ministry of Civil Aviation passes Drone Rules 2021 Also read: Ministry of Aviation issues draft rules to ease drone usage in India