India aiming to become drone hub of world: Union Minister of Defence Mr. Rajnath Singh

India is working towards becoming the global hub for drones, which is expected to boost the Indian economy and support the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, according to Union Minister of Defence Mr. Rajnath Singh. Speaking at the Delhi Defence Dialogue held at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, he highlighted that the government has launched several initiatives to position India as a leader in drone technology. These initiatives include enhancing Research & Development, establishing reliable certification mechanisms, fostering Indian Intellectual Property creation, and rewarding innovation through schemes like the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and the Atal Defence Technology and Innovation (ADITI) scheme. 

He emphasised the transformative impact of drones and swarm technologies on modern warfare, noting that these technologies reshape traditional warfare concepts across land, air, and water. He also touched upon the growing defence exports from India, with the country currently exporting defence items to over 100 nations, including the USA, France, and Armenia. India aims to achieve US$ 5.93 billion (Rs. 50,000 crore) in defence exports by 2029. Additionally, he reiterated India’s commitment to remaining a global leader in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cyberspace. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has introduced AI frameworks and guidelines, with plans to integrate AI features across all Defence Public Sector Undertakings. The Delhi Defence Dialogue is essential for discussing evolving security challenges and promoting collaboration among defence experts, policymakers, and military leaders. 

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.