Charting Tomorrow’s Skyline: Decoding The Expanding Universe Of Drone Tech In India

On November 12, 2023, an under-construction tunnel in Uttarakhand collapsed, trapping 41 workers. The rescue operation that spanned 13 days employed several drone cameras, marking the first instance of employing such technology in a rescue mission of such scale.

Squadron, a Bengaluru-based drone tech startup, played a crucial role in this rescue effort. The company deployed two advanced drones capable of operating in GPS-challenged environments. A team of six mining engineers and geotechnical experts operated these drones, mapping the area and evaluating the possibilities for a safe rescue.

For the uninitiated, drones are unmanned aerial vehicles that can be piloted remotely. Initially utilised by the Indian Army in the early 1990s during the Kargil war, drones have evolved over the last decade, finding applications in diverse areas, including agriculture, infrastructure inspection, delivery services, photography, and security.

In May 2021, the Ministry of Civil Aviation approved a pilot project in collaboration with the Telangana government. The project aimed to explore alternative logistics routes for the secure and precise delivery of healthcare items in remote areas through the use of drones.

Similar permissions were also issued for agricultural research activities utilising Kisan Drones, which were specifically designed for tasks such as crop assessments, capturing land records, and applying insecticides and nutrients.

During the peak Covid era, law enforcement agencies deployed drones to monitor Covid-19 hotspots and containment zones so that strict compliance with lockdown guidelines could be ensured.

Besides, initiatives such as the SVAMITVA scheme, targeting the mapping of ‘Abadi’ areas for residents’ property cards, and the implementation of drone-based surveillance systems for railway security underscores the versatile applications of drone technology across various sectors.

Here are different areas where drone applications have been utilised in recent years.

The Growing Indian Drone Tech Startup Ecosystem

The drone market in India is projected to stand at $13 Bn by 2030, up from $2.71 Bn in 2022, positioning India as a key player in Asia Pacific (APAC) for driving this growth, according to Inc42’s Indian Drone Tech Startup Landscape & Market Opportunity Report 2023.

The rapidly expanding use of drones has prompted the Directorate General Of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to formulate new rules and regulations to govern the civilian use of drones in India. The Drone Rules were issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on August 26, 2021, and do not apply to drones used by the naval, military, or air forces of India.

As a testament to this acceptance, India currently boasts over 200 drone tech startups, with over 13,000 drones registered in the country, as per Inc42 analysis.

Investments in the drone segment totalled over $83 Mn from January 2016 to November 2023. Notably, two startups, ideaForge ($47.3 Mn) and Garuda Aerospace ($25 Mn), have collectively secured 87% of the total sectoral funding during this period.

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Garuda Aerospace creates customised drones for various applications like event photography, agricultural surveys, reconnaissance, and surveillance. Product range includes agri mapping, surveillance drones, solar panel cleaning, seed dropping, loudspeakers, UGVs, and fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones, etc.

Similarly, Ideaforge makes UAV systems for inspection, surveillance and mapping. Its solutions are used across sectors such as defence, homeland security, mining, construction, agriculture, energy and utilities.

Other noteworthy startups with significant funding include Skylark Drones, Skye Air Mobility, and Preimage.

Key Factors Propelling The Growth Of The Drone Tech Ecosystem In India

Industries are actively involved in creating ‘Make in India’ drone products, raising awareness, and promoting STEM education to cultivate expertise in this emerging field. Ongoing advancements in drone technology such as improvements in battery life, sensor capabilities, AI-driven analytics, and payload versatility, have broadened the applications of drones, making them more adaptable and efficient for diverse industries.

Further, India’s drone ecosystem has seen advancements in regulatory frameworks, partnerships, and endorsements, laying the groundwork for further growth and innovation in the sector. Ongoing government support, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s endorsement of various drone initiatives, has played a pivotal role in shaping the ecosystem.

“The establishment of a sustainable and growing drone ecosystem requires the implementation of crucial infrastructure and the formulation of policies aligned with industrial requirements. India has successfully advanced along this trajectory, achieving key milestones,” said Prateek Srivastava, founder and MD of DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations.

Besides government policies and initiatives, two other factors are propelling the massive growth of the drone tech ecosystem in India.

Availability of skilled workforce: India’s pool of skilled engineers, scientists, and tech professionals has significantly contributed to the drone tech ecosystem. The availability of skilled talent has supported innovation, research and development efforts, and the creation of cutting-edge drone solutions. Additionally, the promotion of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ aligns with the enthusiasm of the young workforce in the industry, eager to explore and contribute to this futuristic field.

Low entry barriers: The relatively low entry barriers into the drone tech market have encouraged startups and entrepreneurs to enter the space, fostering a culture of innovation and competition. The right combination of these factors is key to achieving exponential growth in the Indian drone industry.

“With billions of dollars invested in R&D, global drone brands have successfully risen to the top. We too are racing towards higher benchmarks and rather ambitiously with the mission of becoming a Global Drone Hub by 2030,” said Vipul Singh, CEO and cofounder of Aereo (formerly Aarav Unmanned System).

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Deep Diving Into The Drone Tech Value Chain

In the last few years, several areas within the drone tech value chain have experienced notable growth. As depicted in Inc42’s recent drone tech report 2023, some of the key components in the drone tech value chain are:

According to Marut Drone’s founder and CEO Prem Kumar Vislawath, while all these segments are experiencing growth, the areas of Components, OEMs, navigation and UTM, and data management have seen significant impetus. The increasing demand for specialised drones, enhanced navigation systems, and efficient data handling in various sectors has propelled growth in these segments within the drone tech value chain.

DroneAcharya’s Srivastava added that the increased breaches of privacy by drones from bordering nations have driven a higher demand for counter-drone systems to address concerns related to terrorism and illicit logistical deliveries. Simultaneously, due to restrictions on importing components from China imposed by both the government and the demand of the market for using make-in-India products, there has been a surge in the need to manufacture drone components domestically.

Navigating Through The Challenges Ahead

Despite making several successful strides, the Indian drone tech startup ecosystem needs to overcome several challenges. As Marut Drone’s Vislawath highlights, shortfall in the availability of high-quality components in the Indian market for manufacturing drones as well as the development and implementation of a robust unmanned traffic management (UTM) system to manage the increasing number of drones in the airspace and prevent collisions remains the major challenges.

Further, as Garuda Aerospace’s founder and CEO Agishwar Jayaprakash highlights, the sector requires a lot of effort to remove barriers to awareness, education, and technology access in rural areas. A persistent issue facing the industry is the lack of qualified drone pilots.

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Also, regulatory hurdles, such as incomplete airspace information and the absence of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) regulations and certifications, complicate drone operations.

However, the industry is of the view that if approached strategically, these challenges can become avenues for growth and progress.

Here are some key measures proposed to propel the way forward:

• Staying engaged in regulatory discussions, staying updated on changes, and collaborating with authorities can streamline operational processes.
• Addressing the shortage of skilled drone professionals by investing in training programmes and supporting or creating such programmes can enhance the talent pool and position the company as a leader in the field
• Intense market competition often leads to pricing pressures. However, companies can differentiate themselves by highlighting expertise, offering specialised services, and prioritising quality to justify premium pricing

Peaking Into The Year Ahead

The growth trajectory of drone tech startups in India appears promising. Aereo’s Singh anticipates that at least five drone companies will achieve over 100% revenue growth in FY24.

This projection is based on the awarding of multiple significant contracts to companies operating in both defence and commercial sectors. Additionally, the development of AI and ML-specific applications is expected to contribute to enhancing drone operational efficiency.

The upcoming year is expected to see the establishment of numerous drone schools across India, covering locations from Tier-I to Tier-IV cities. These institutions will play a crucial role in disseminating awareness about drones and STEM education, reaching every corner of the Indian ecosystem.

A deeper integration of drones across several areas such as agricultural practices, insurance assessments, SDG tracking, city 3D twin development, inventory management in warehouses, and various types of inspections is also expected.

As Marut Drone’s Singh highlights, in FY24, the drone tech landscape in India is poised for exponential growth. He also projects a 34.4% surge in drone startups and the annual sales turnover of the drone manufacturing industry to soar from INR 60 Cr in FY21 to over INR 900 Cr.

India is now steered toward becoming a global drone hub by 2030, as envisioned by civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. These strides are expected to generate more employment opportunities and bolster an industry that was once hindered by bureaucratic barriers.

Although the limited understanding and slow adoption of drone technology in India pose challenges, the ecosystem stakeholders are optimistic that application-specific automation powered by AI and ML will unlock many more use cases in the sectors.

[Edited by Shishir Parashar]

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