The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

India's Drone manufacturing by the private sector companies, including startups, has picked up pace over the recent years, especially with the raging war in Ukraine. The two-day 'Bharat Drone Shakti' 2023 event was organised at the Indian Air Force (IAF) Base at Hindon on September 25-26. 2023, which was hosted by the IAF and the Drone federation of India (FDI), witnessed participation by more than 75 drone startups from across the country. India aims to become a drone hub by 2030 under the Drone Policy issued in 2021. However, experts point out the constraints because of the country's dependence on import of semiconductors. India is addressing the requirement of indigenous production of semiconductors but perhaps we need to go for co-production of semiconductors more vigorously with countries like Taiwan.

India's drone manufacturing by private sector companies, including startups, has accelerated notably in recent years, particularly in response to global conflicts such as the Ukraine War

It may be recalled that on January 10, 2024, the then Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R. Hari Kumar had unveiled the Drishti 10 Starliner UAV indigenously manufactured by Adani Defence and Aerospace at the company's Aerospace Park in Hyderabad. A press release from Adani said Drishti 10 Starliner is an advanced Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform with 36 hours endurance, 450 kg payload capacity, the only all-weather military platform with STANAG 4671 certification and clear to fly in both segregated and non-segregated airspace. The Adani Group has ambitious plans for the defence sector, with a portfolio spanning drones and counter drone systems to arms and ammunition. While the drones are being produced in partnership with Israel's Elbit Systems, the Adani Group said 70 per cent of the drone has been indigenised.

The private industry no doubt has made big strides in drone making in India. Media reports of May 8, 2024, state that indigenous firm 'Kadet Defence Systems (P)' in collaboration with the DRDO has developed the country's first Loitering Aerial Munitions (LAM) for the Armed Forces; multiple versions, varying from 15 kg to 120 kg, with explosives payload of 2 to 40 kg are being developed and the largest version can loiter for 12 hours. The Armed Forces have ordered 24 of these suicide drones, to be supplied in 2024.

India aims to establish itself as a drone hub by 2030, as outlined in its Drone Policy issued in 2021, signaling a strategic focus on developing indigenous drone capabilities

Recent news reports indicate that a Remote Piloted Aerial Vehicle (RPAS) programme (which includes UCAVs also) at an estimated budget of ₹5,000 crores ($600 million) is under evaluation by a dedicated committee under the Ministry of Finance. The DRDO has conducted initial testing of 'SWIFT', a scaled down (one-tonne) version of the 'Ghatak' UCAV. Following additional tests, green light for the UCAV programme will be given. However, full deployment of UCAVs is likely only by late 2030s, partly due to the delay in development and production of the Dry Kaveri engine which is still few years away.

Concurrently, it is interesting to read news reports of April 10, 2024, that Chinese UAVs have been outperforming American drones in the Ukraine War; being fragile and ineffective. According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), US-made drones have failed to live up to expectations in the Ukrainian conflict, prompting authorities in Kyiv to reassess their options and turn towards Chinese alternatives for defence needs. Sources cited in the report, including drone company executives, Ukrainian frontline personnel, government officials, and former US military officials, outline several key issues plaguing US-made drones. These include exorbitant costs, technical faults, and complex repair processes.

The Ukraine War has triggered a global surge in drone technology advancements, with countries like the United States and China actively competing in this domain, further emphasising the significance of drone technology in modern warfare and defence strategies

One prominent example cited in the report is the Silicon Valley-based company Skydio. Despite dispatching hundreds of its most advanced UAVs to assist Ukrainian forces, the technology proved inadequate. This poses challenges for the Pentagon, which requires a reliable supply of thousands of small drones to Ukraine for various purposes. US-made drones also fall short of the advertised distances they are supposed to fly. Even the American 'Switchblade' drones have been facing problems because of Russia's advanced electronic warfare capabilities.

Chinese drone manufacturer DJI has emerged as a preferred brand for the Ukrainian military. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal acknowledged in 2023 that the country heavily depends on Chinese DJI drones for defence purposes. Speaking at the Kyiv International Economic Forum, Shmyhal disclosed that Ukraine effectively purchases 60 per cent of DJI's global output of Mavic quadcopter drones despite the vendor's official prohibition on selling to militaries. The Ukrainian military faces budgetary constraints and it reportedly expends some 10,000 UAVs every month. Many commercial UAVs from the US cost tens of thousands of dollars more than their Chinese counterparts. Therefore, it is financially challenging to procure expensive US-made drones.

The Ukraine War has accelerated the global race in drone technology, including in India. America's Northrop Grumman has tested an underwater drone that looks like a monster Manta Ray. The drone is capable of carrying multiple payloads of various sizes to support a variety of missions. Moreover, it saves energy since it has the ability to anchor to the seafloor and hibernate in a low-power state. The Manta Ray is modular, for easy shipment in five standard shipping containers to support expeditionary deployment and in-field assembly world-wide.