The Drone Federation of India and the Indian Navy’s Technological Department and Acceleration Cell of the Naval Innovation Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) have entered into an agreement to collaborate and work towards the promotion of indigenous development, manufacture of drones, testing of drones, counter-drone and other technologies for the Navy. This collaboration will increase the Navy-industry academia synergy.
In a statement by an official, it was said, “A special maritime drone testing site shall also be embarked for the Indian drone industry to facilitate faster development and testing of drones, especially in maritime environments to enable the development for a host of applications.”
Furthermore, as a part of this understanding, programs on sensitisation and skill development shall be undertaken as well.
The Code A P Golaya, VSM, Oic TDAC, Indian Navy said, “TDAC has been working towards the accelerating development of indigenous technologies to be utilised by the Indian Navy. Our collaboration with the Drone Federation of India will help us develop a deeper industry connection and help us create a stronger roadmap for induction of drone platforms in the Indian Navy in a time-bound manner.”
The Drone Federation of India is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led body. It promotes the drone industry by creating business operations as well as developing a robust and skilled infrastructure and promoting research and development.
The president of the Drone Federation of India, Smit Shah, said, “It is a proud moment for the Indian drone industry to have established a partnership with the Indian Navy to build and test superior drone platforms.”
It was further mentioned by Shah that the maritime testing site is being developed under this initiative. It will accelerate the development of highly versatile and reliable drone platforms. The Navy shall use these drones for the purpose of maritime patrolling, drone landing on moving ships, ship-to-ship deliveries and ship-to-shore deliveries.
