IIT Ropar partners with firm to make indigenous drones
India’s drone technology and related industry are estimated to grow from the current Rs 80 crore to Rs 15,000 crore by next year. The Centre is also pushing for developing indigenous drone technology. In line with the projections, IIT Ropar and AVPL International, an agritech company focused on drone technology, have announced collaboration to make India’s first fully indigenous drone.
An MoU signed between IIT Ropar and AVPL, a Gurugram-based company, aims to end foreign dependency and securing India’s drone future. The duo aims to create fully indigenous drones — not just in hardware, but also in software, programming and intelligence. This includes creating flight algorithms, AI-based guidance systems and encrypted communication protocols that will not depend on foreign technology or infrastructure. Research and development for the project will be conducted through IIT Ropar’s Centre of Excellence for Studies and Applied Research in Defence and Security (COE SARDS). Scientists, professors and researchers will work on cutting-edge, patented technologies that will ensure that India’s drones are both safe and self-reliant. This is in line with the Government of India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, wherein Indian data will be protected within Indian borders.
“India must take control of its technological destiny. This partnership will help us build drones and systems that are completely made in India, with Indian intelligence and security at the forefront. We are not just talking about aerospace innovation. We are building national defence capabilities,” said Prof Rajiv Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar.
The partnership, he added, comes at a crucial time when India is poised to become one of the largest drone markets in the world. The government initiatives such as ‘Drone Shakti’ and ‘Namo Drone Didi’ are targeted towards empowerment — especially of women in the agriculture sector — with drone technology. But, as these programmes progress, it is important that India does not remain a consumer of foreign drone solutions.
Although drones that are currently used are assembled in India, many depend on foreign software, cloud services and AI platforms for operation. The dependence on external technology, feel experts, creates significant risks, including data theft, remote control takeover and cyberattacks, which can affect everything, including border security.
AVPL International has committed an initial investment of Rs 5-6 crore in a joint research and development initiative with IIT Ropar. The funding will support the development of indigenous drone technology over the next 3-4 years, with the possibility of even higher investments as the project progresses.
“It’s not just about drones — it’s about data and security. Right now, if the software is foreign, so is the control. The project will break that shackle, secure India’s technological future and ensure we have control over our skies. This is not just a technological move; it’s a strategic imperative,” elaborated NK Mohapatra, CEO, AVPL International.
Punjab