India takes off as drone powerーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS
India’s drive to reinvent itself as a manufacturing powerhouse has put drones in the spotlight, especially after a recent border clash with Pakistan. The country’s drone federation predicts a market share of over 11 billion by the year 2030 or more than 12% of the global market. NHK World’s Abishek Doulia has a story. This company originally made specialized drones for tasks such as land surveying. Now, however, it’s shifting its focus to the development of military hardware. I am at a drone manufacturing facility in Mumbai and the variant of this drone was used by Indian army during the recent conflict. Back in May, the Indian Army used similar drones for surveillance during a brief conflict with Pakistan. They reportedly impressed with their ability to evade Pakistani radar. The drones have now since 2020 found a very very concrete and significant role uh in so far as use of drones in defense is concerned. India’s defense ministry has ordered more drones able to withstand the harsh weather conditions in the mountains along the border with Pakistan. The company has been testing its drones in temperatures as low as 60° below freezing combined with fierce winds. It plans to continue work to develop even more capable models. I think the biggest learning is that the ability to operate in a denied environment is going to be a very critical uh capability. We believe very strongly that uh very highquality reusable drones can really change the battlefield for overall forthcoming future. The head of the country’s drone federation says the Pakistan clash lit a fire under the development industry. It has also created a very close interaction between the user which is the Indian army and the various armed forces and the industry where there is a constant exchange of information and dialogue on how to strengthen our capabilities. So uh there is a uh good competition between the industry to now better their technologies, bring in AI, build in vision based navigation. With India looking dominate the skies, Pakistan is expected to join the freight too and for many that raises the spectre of a new high-tech arms race above our heads. Abishek Doulia, NHK World, New Delhi.
An armed clash with Pakistan in May this year has helped push India’s drone development to new heights. And manufacturers are confident they’ll be able to grab a chunk of the global market within five years. #pakistan #india #drone #business
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