In a major stride towards technological self-reliance and rural empowerment, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan inaugurated India’s first Agri-Drone Indigenization Hub in Chennai on June 14, 2025. The state-of-the-art facility, developed by Garuda Aerospace, marks a historic moment in the country’s drone ecosystem.
Alongside the inauguration, Minister Paswan also launched 300 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and rolled out the DGCA-approved Train the Trainer (TTT) programme, all aimed at accelerating India’s indigenous drone production and drone-skilling capacity.
Why This Is in News?
India has taken a significant leap in drone technology and manufacturing with the establishment of the country’s largest Agri-Drone production facility. These initiatives strongly support the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision and align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mission to make India a Global Drone Hub by 2030.
Major Highlights of the Launch Event
Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility
- Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Area: 35,000 square feet
- Target Output: 1 lakh drones by 2026
- Current Output: Over 4,000 drones delivered
- Core Activities: Designing, manufacturing, and testing of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
Train the Trainer (TTT) Programme
- DGCA-Certified skilling initiative
- Focused on creating drone instructors to boost rural employment and women empowerment (highlighting “Drone Didis”)
- Nationwide impact on drone education and training
300 Centres of Excellence (CoEs)
- Set up in collaboration with academia and industry
- Objective: Promote drone R&D, skilling, and entrepreneurship across India
Key Statements and Impact
- Minister Paswan applauded Garuda Aerospace CEO Agnishwar Jayaprakash for driving innovation and fostering self-reliance in the drone sector.
- The launch witnessed India’s largest ever gathering of over 2,000 Agri-Drones at a single venue.
- These efforts collectively aim to empower farmers, create rural jobs, and support startup ecosystems through cutting-edge drone applications in agriculture.
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Inauguration of Agri-Drone Indigenization Hub & 300 CoEs |
| Date | June 14, 2025 |
| Minister | Shri Kamlesh Paswan, MoS for Rural Development |
| Facility Developer | Garuda Aerospace |
| CEO | Agnishwar Jayaprakash |
| Facility Area | 35,000 sq. ft. |
| Target Production | 1 lakh drones by 2026 |
| Key Initiatives | TTT Programme, CoEs, Drone Demonstrations |
