India’s First Government-Approved Drone Announcement Makes Its Desire to Be a Global Drone Hub Clear
The Agribot, India’s first government-approved drone, was authorised in just 35 days, providing the most recent proof of the nation’s desire to encourage domestic drone manufacture and establish itself as a centre for drone manufacturing worldwide.
The first Type Certificate issued under the 2021 Drone Rules has been given to Gurugram-based IoTechWorld for their precision agriculture tool Agribot by India’s Union Aviation Minister.
IoTechWorld wins, and the Indian drone industry also benefits. In order to make it simpler for manufacturers to gain type certification, the Ministry of Civil Aviation reportedly released new regulations for drone certification in January. Just 34 days after the company’s online application was submitted on India’s DigitalSky platform, India’s first government-approved drone got Type Certification (TC).
The DGCA must grant certificates in 15 days, and the Quality Council and Certification Bodies must process applications in 60 days under India’s 2021 Drone Rules.
An effective type certification procedure, in the government’s opinion, will promote a healthy drone manufacturing ecosystem. “The drone certification programme is anticipated to establish an environment that will allow India to produce and export top-notch drones to all corners of the globe. The certification tests are now being performed on 14 drone prototypes. Over the next three years, there may be more than 100 Type Certified prototypes, according to a news statement from the Ministry.
IoTechWorld Avigation Pvt Ltd received the first Type Certificate (TC) under the Drone Rules, 2021, according to a statement made on this occasion by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia. The Hon. Prime Minister’s goal of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” is being pursued, he claimed, by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The central government of India has passed a system of rules, subsidies, and incentives to aid the developing domestic drone sector in addition to the type certification procedure. A “green zone” allowing drone flight up to 400 feet covers about 90% of India’s airspace. Government subsidies are also used to encourage the purchase of agricultural drones, which further supports drone production. The 2022 Union Budget includes a “Drone Shakti” programme to support drone startups and drone-as-a-service companies. To make it simpler for new pilots to get started, the regulations requiring a drone pilot licence have been eliminated.
An absolute restriction on the import of foreign drones for domestic use, coupled with a more liberal import framework for drone components, is what most strongly supports India’s aim to become a global drone powerhouse.
“Almost every sector of the business can profit greatly from drones. These include geospatial mapping, defence, infrastructure, emergency response, transportation, agriculture, mining, and law enforcement. Due to their reach, adaptability, and usability, particularly in India’s rural and inaccessible areas, drones can significantly contribute to the creation of jobs and economic growth.
India has the potential to become a worldwide drone powerhouse by 2030, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, given its historic strengths in innovation, information technology, and cost-effective engineering; supportive laws, financial incentives, and a sizable local market base.
