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<ul><li><keyword id="6358126" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="himachal-pradesh" source="Orion">Himachal Pradesh</keyword> become the first state in the country to give a nod to drone policy.</li><li>India has witnessed a 34.4% surge in the number of drone or UAV startups between August 2021 and February 2022.</li><li>The <keyword id="12100363" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drone-manufacturing" source="Orion">drone manufacturing</keyword> industry can create more than 10,000 direct jobs in the next three years.</li></ul>In a major step forward, the Himachal Pradesh government gave nod to a drone policy as it seeks to enable the use of drones and similar technology for different public services in the hill state. The ‘Himachal Pradesh <keyword id="14136397" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drone-policy-2022" source="Orion">Drone Policy 2022</keyword>’ was approved by the chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, who said, “The policy envisions creating a holistic drone ecosystem built upon the foundation of Governance and Reforms Using Drones (GARUD).” With this new drone policy, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to formally acknowledge the public use of drones. Himachal’s drone policy mainly focuses on creating drone-enabled technology, creation of manpower through the establishment of training schools, startup and innovation schemes, and more. The policy aims to propagate the use of drone-enabled technology in different sectors such as defence, transport, health, agriculture and more. Also read: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/these-four-drone-company-stocks-gave-record-breaking-returns-in-one-year/articleshow/91892935.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">These four drone company stocks gave record breaking returns in one year</a> Additionally, drone technology will be used by the police department for surveillance in remote areas, which is crucial especially for a hilly state like Himachal Pradesh. Apart from this, the government also will allow the mining, forest, and horticulture departments to use drones for their respective needs. Delivery of medicines, medical equipment, and other essential supplies will also commence with the help of drones in pandemic-affected and remote areas. Scope of drone technology in India For successful implementation of drone policy in the state, the Himachal Pradesh government has already designated ITI Shahpur for training personnel to use drones. Further, the Department of Information Technology has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian drone companies such as Skye Air and TechEagle to deliver medical and agri commodities within the state. As a part of MoUs, Skye Air and TechEagle have already completed trials in the Chamba and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh connecting multiple Community and Home Health Care (CHC) and hospitals in the area. The Union Budget 2022, aims to boost the Indian drone industry as the budget includes ₹120 crore PLI scheme for the drone industry, intended to boost domestic manufacturing and ban of imported drones. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-ios-16-brings-new-widgets-for-the-lock-screen-revamped-notifications-and-more-/articleshow/92055468.cms">Apple brings a new lock screen experience in iOS 16 with new widgets, revamped notifications and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/which-devices-will-support-ios-16-and-ipados-16-upgrade/articleshow/92050520.cms">iOS 16 update – here are the devices that will support iOS 16 and iPadOS 16</a>

Himachal Pradesh becomes the first Indian state to approve a policy for drones

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The UK has unveiled a new radio frequency-directed energy weapon under development.</li><li>The Ministry of Defence said it could take out a swarm of drones for just $0.12 a shot.</li></ul>Britain is developing a new radio-wave weapon designed to take out a "swarm" of drones for just $0.12 a shot, the UK's Ministry of Defence <a target="_blank" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cutting-edge-drone-killer-radio-wave-weapon-developing-at-pace">said in a press statement</a>.According to the MOD, the Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon, or RFDEW, uses radio waves to detect, track, and disable electronic components at a range of up to 1000 meters.It touted it as a far more affordable option than traditional missile-based air-defense systems and said that thanks to its high level of automation, it can be operated by a single person."The war in Ukraine has shown us the importance of deploying uncrewed systems, but we must be able to defend against them too," James Cartlidge, the UK's Minister for Defence Procurement, said.According to the MOD, the weapon can be mounted on a range of military vehicles and produces pulses in a beam that can be expanded to engage multiple threats or quickly fire sequential bullets at specific targets.Soldiers will field test it over the summer, it added.The conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the growing importance of unmanned aerial vehicles to modern warfare.Ukraine and Russia have both deployed thousands of drones, and in an interview <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/04/09/drones-russia-tanks-ukraine-war-fpv-artillery/">with Foreign Policy</a> last month, a NATO official said that Ukrainian drones were responsible for two-thirds of recent Russian tank losses.Ukraine has also sent drones <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/one-drone-liutyi-behind-majority-ukraine-attacks-russia-oil-facilities-2024-5">far into Russia</a> to target oil facilities.Drones have also been used by Houthi rebels against ships in the Red Sea, and last month Iran used drones and missiles in a thwarted attack on Israel.Paul Hollinshead, the CEO of one of the companies developing the new weapon, said the system will provide the UK armed forces with a "decisive" operational advantage, saving lives and neutralizing "deadly" threats.Directed-energy weapons, including high-energy lasers and high-power radio frequency or microwave devices, have taken on renewed importance as they are considered the future of anti-drone and anti-satellite warfare.The Pentagon is spending $1 billion a year on directed-energy weapons to counter drones and missiles, according to a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-105868">report</a> published by the Government Accountability Office last year.Other countries, including France, China, Germany, Russia, India, and Israel, are also racing to develop their own directed-energy weapons.In January, the UK MOD <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dragonfire-uk-test-fired-laser-shoot-drones-defense-2024-1">tested-fired</a> its DragonFire, a powerful laser cannon that can shoot drones out of the sky.Turkey was the first country to use directed-energy weapons in combat, to destroy a combat vehicle in Libya in 2019, according to the military and defense website <a target="_blank" href="https://armyrecognition.com/focus-analysis-conflicts/army/defence-security-industry-technology/laser-battles-no-longer-science-fiction">Army Recognition</a>.

Britain says it is developing a radio-wave weapon that can take out a swarm of drones for just $0.12 a shot

<ul><li>The New <keyword id="2823175" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drone-policy" source="Orion">Drone Policy</keyword> of 2021 will replace the Unmanned Aircrafts Systems Rules of 2021.</li><li>The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has abolished several approvals from the latest <keyword id="6354474" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drone" source="Orion">drone</keyword> policy.</li><li>Number of permissions reduced from 25 to 5 under the <keyword id="2730972" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drone-rules" source="Orion">Drone Rules</keyword> of 2021.</li></ul>The government of India has announced the much-awaited New Drone Policy of 2021 today, which will replace the Unmanned Aircrafts Systems Rules of 2021. Despite the recent increase in drone attacks in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has abolished several approvals from the latest drone policy. MoCA has also increased the coverage of drones under the New Drone Policy of 2021 from 300 kilograms to 500 kilograms to include heavy payload-carrying drones and drone taxis. Other takeaways from Drone Rules, 2021: <ol><li>Number of permissions reduced from 25 to 5.</li><li>Maximum penalty under Drone Rules, 2021, reduced to ₹1 Lakh. This will not be applicable on penalties in respect to other laws.</li><li>No security clearance required before registration or licence issuance.</li><li>Fees for permissions will be reduced to nominal levels.</li><li>Interactive airspace maps with green, yellow and red zones will be displayed on the digital sky platform. Red zones are prohibited areas, yellow zones are controlled airspace and green zones are airspace from the ground up to a vertical distance of 400 feet.</li><li>The yellow zone has been reduced from 45 kilometre (km) to 12 km from the airport perimeter.</li><li>No permission required to operate a drone in green zone, upto 200 feet, between 8-12 KM from airport perimeter.</li><li>Online registration of all drones shall happen through the Digital Sky Platform.</li><li>Easy process prescribed for transfer and deregistration of existing drones in the country.</li><li>Safety features like ‘no permission-no takeoff (NPNT), real-time tracking beacon, geofencing to be notified from now. A minimum six-month lead time will be provided for compliance.</li><li>All drone training and examination to be carried out by an authorised drone school. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will prescribe training requirements, oversee drone schools and provide pilot licenses online.</li><li>No requirement of type certificate, unique identification number, prior permission and remote pilot licence for R&amp;D entities.</li><li>No pilot license is required for operating nano and micro stones for non-commercial use.</li><li>Drone corridors will be developed for cargo deliveries.</li><li>Import of drones to be regulated by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).</li><li>Unmanned Aircraft Systems Promotion Council to be set up to facilitate a business-friendly regulatory regime.</li></ol>Earlier, there were many permissions required to operate drones in India but they have now been abolished. These include unique authorisation number, unique prototype identification number, certificate of conformance, certificate of maintenance, operator permit, authorisation of research and development (R&amp;D) organisation, student remote pilot licence, remote pilot instructor authorisation, drone port authorisation, and import permission for drone components. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/amazon-twitter-hyundai-and-dominos-are-buying-indian-software-fuelling-a-75-billion-dream-chased-by-top-vcs-like-sequoia-and-tiger-global/articleshow/85646116.cms">Amazon, Twitter, Hyundai, and Domino’s are buying Indian software fuelling a $75 billion dream chased by top VCs like Sequoia and Tiger Global </a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/infosys-airtel-kaveri-seed-and-other-top-stocks-to-watch-out-for-on-august-26/slidelist/85645299.cms">Infosys, Airtel, Kaveri Seed and other top stocks to watch out for on August 26</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/investors-will-be-able-to-open-fixed-deposit-accounts-fds-on-google-pay/articleshow/85646488.cms">Google Pay to let users open fixed deposits on its platform</a>

India is making it easier to buy, fly and sell drones with these 16 policy changes

The government has approved the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for <keyword id="94769" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drones" source="Orion">drones</keyword> and drone components for implementation during the current year (2022-23) till 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs 120 crore. Based on the consultations/meetings with the stakeholders, including the industry representatives and the concerned departments, the operational guidelines of the PLI scheme for drones and drone components have been finalised. A statement from the <keyword id="149609" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ministry-of-civil-aviation" source="Orion">ministry of civil aviation</keyword> (MoCA) said that the objective behind this scheme is to incentivise the manufacturing of drones so as to make them self-sustaining and globally competitive. The statement said in order to make the country a global hub for the research and development, testing, manufacturing and operation of drones under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the liberalised <keyword id="2730972" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drone-rules" source="Orion">Drone Rules</keyword>, 2021, was released to create a growth-oriented regulatory framework for drones. To facilitate further growth, the government said it approved the PLI scheme for drones and drone components in <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>. Some of the operational guidelines which were notified for the stakeholders and the public were based on the definitions of the companies; eligibility; application and online portal; project management agency (PMA), empowered group of secretaries (EGoS) and the Competent Authority; approval under PLI and determination of baseline and calculation and disbursement of incentives. These applicants for the scheme are the companies registered in India that are manufacturing -- drones and drone components. The manufacturing can be carried out at one or more locations in India. According to the statement, the target segment covers drones and drone components. Drone components include airframe, propulsion systems (engine and electric), power systems, batteries and associated components, launch and recovery systems, communication systems, cameras, sensors, detect-and-avoid system, and software for drone and drone components, among others. In terms of applications, the statement said it should be with supporting documents and an application fee. Application acknowledgement date is the date on which it is acknowledged by the ministry after carrying out initial scrutiny. The application approval date is the date on which, based on an application, approval under the scheme is issued by the PMA. According to the guidelines, the scheme will be implemented through a nodal agency. Such nodal agency shall act as a PMA and will be responsible for providing secretarial, managerial and implementation support and carrying out responsibilities as assigned by the ministry from time to time. The PMA would be responsible for the appraisal of applications and verification of eligibility, examination of claims, a compilation of data, regarding the progress and performance of the scheme and to keep a check on any diversions arising out of any change in accounting policy or duplication of benefits on account of the same activity under different PLI schemes. The scheme shall have a provision for audit by an external auditor (chartered accountant or cost accountant). The EGoS will conduct periodic reviews of eligible companies with respect to their investments, employment generation, production and value addition under the scheme. It may revise incentivise rates, ceilings, and eligibility criteria as deemed appropriate during the scheme's tenure. The statement from the ministry said claim for disbursement of incentive shall be filed on an annual basis by the applicant within 12 months from the end of the financial year for the claims pertaining to FY22 (2021-22) and within six months from the end of the financial year to which the claim pertains for remaining tenure of the scheme. Applicants will be required to submit claims for disbursement of incentives to the PMA for claiming incentives under the scheme. Applicants must ensure that the claims are complete in all respects and accompanied by all the documents required as per the format prescribed. PMA will have to examine the disbursement claims as submitted by an applicant. The statement also said the PMA shall process claims for the disbursement of incentives and make appropriate recommendations to the Competent Authority. It also said the disbursement of incentives may be in the form of Direct Bank Transfer or through any other mechanism of adjustment in the name of the applicant only. In case of excess claims disbursed, the applicant shall reimburse MoCA for any incentive amount refundable along with interest calculated at three years. The PMA will submit budgetary requirements to MoCA as a consolidated amount on a quarterly basis. The statement also said that all approved applicants shall be required to furnish self-certified quarterly review reports within 30 days from the end of each quarter. The ministry also said these guidelines may be amended or modified at any time during the continuance of the scheme. Any dispute arising out of any conditions stipulated in the norms, selection of proposals and issues during the implementation under the scheme will be subject to courts/tribunals having jurisdiction under Delhi. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rupee-at-80-against-the-usd-a-possibility-say-analysts-as-us-fed-hints-at-slower-rate-hikes/articleshow/95940818.cms">Rupee may hit 80/$ aided by trifecta of softer rates, cooling crude and stronger macros, say analysts</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/globalbees-to-cred-and-two-adani-group-companies-companies-which-command-high-valuations-with-low-revenues/articleshow/95929044.cms">The curious case of companies which command high valuations with low revenues</a>

Govt approves PLI scheme for making drones with outlay of Rs 120 cr, comes out with norms

<ul><li><keyword id="3820" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="mukesh-ambani" source="Orion">Mukesh Ambani</keyword> is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to diversify from a select few industries like oil, retail and telecom to software and beyond. </li><li>SankhyaSutra Labs, a subsidiary of <keyword id="9093411" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jio-Platforms" source="Orion">Jio Platforms</keyword>, showcased software for drone and aircraft design, pitting itself as an option as India liberalises its drone policies and doubles down on defence indigenisation. </li><li>Gautam Adani, too, has announced his foray by picking up a 50% stake in General Aeronautics, a drone maker. </li></ul>Mukesh Ambani has set his sights on the Indian government’s defence indigenisation efforts. After drones, Ambani Senior is looking to enter the critical space of aircraft design through a Bengaluru-based subsidiary, SankhyaSutra Labs. The Reliance subsidiary, under <keyword id="2003276" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jio" source="Orion">Jio</keyword> Platforms, showcased a Made in India software that can be used to design aircraft at the AeroCon 2022 — an aerospace conference organised by the Society of Automobile Engineering. The company said that it intends to launch a major product in October this year, but stopped short of specifying exactly what it would be about. SankhyaSutra’s focus seems to be on making it easier and cheaper to simulate aircraft designs. Simulation plays a significant role in all aircraft design, particularly in defence. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="91892935" title="These four drone company stocks gave record breaking returns in one year" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> “Accurate and reliable simulations can potentially reduce the need for expensive and time-consuming experiments, such as wind tunnel experiments, used for the design of aircraft,” said Dr. Vinay Kariwala, vice president of business development and SankhyaSutra Labs. “This opens up several possibilities by making aircraft design faster and cheaper, as well as allowing exploration of unconventional and radically new design alternatives,” he added. The company said it uses a combination of physics, mathematics and computer science for its designing tools. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Ambani joins Adani in capitalising on India’s drone needs" comment="subhead" text="Ambani joins Adani in capitalising on India’s drone needs">Ambani joins Adani in capitalising on India’s drone needs</cmsannotation> Last week, SankhyaSutra also showcased its products and solutions for drones at the Drone Festival of India 2022, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present. India liberalised its drone policies and lifted restrictions on drone usage and expanded it from just defence to other sectors like — agriculture, tourism, healthcare and more. The potential of drones has caught the fancy of both Ambani and Gautam Adani - two of India’s richest men. The Adani Group recently picked up a 50% stake in a drone company called General Aeronautics. Drone company stocks have <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/these-four-drone-company-stocks-gave-record-breaking-returns-in-one-year/articleshow/91892935.cms">delivered record returns</a> of up to 160%. All the four listed entities – Paras Defence, Zen Technologies, RattanIndia Enterprises, and Bharat Electronics had gained momentum. It remains to be seen if Gautam Adani will follow Mukesh Ambani in launching a dedicated defence vertical as India doubles down on achieving Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/these-four-drone-company-stocks-gave-record-breaking-returns-in-one-year/articleshow/91892935.cms">These four drone company stocks gave record breaking returns in one year</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/ambani-and-adani-together-borrowed-more-than-1-out-of-every-5-from-foreign-lenders/articleshow/91909834.cms">Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani account for $1 out of every $5 of foreign loans</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/rakesh-jhunjhunwalas-delta-corp-stock-lost-more-than-a-third-of-its-value-in-two-months/articleshow/91957129.cms">Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s gamble on this stock is proving to be a bust after it slips 20% in a month</a>

Mukesh Ambani sets sights on defence – showcases Made in India software for aircraft design

<ul><li>Shares of <keyword id="12042070" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="defence-equipment-maker" source="Orion">defence equipment maker</keyword> <keyword id="217766" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="zen-technologies" source="Orion">Zen Technologies</keyword> have shot up 108% in the last one month.</li><li>The surge in stock was led by the ₹155 crore order of unarmed aircraft systems from the Indian Air Force along with ease in <keyword id="12042071" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drone-policies" source="Orion">drone policies</keyword>.</li><li>The company provides defence training solutions, drones and anti-drone solutions.</li></ul>Shares of defence equipment maker Zen Technologies have zoomed 108% in just 20 trading sessions. In the last one month, the stock has doubled from ₹89 on August 7 to ₹186 on September 7. In the last five days itself, the stock climbed 85% as the company bagged an order worth ₹155 crore from India Air Force (IAF) for the supply of counter unmanned aircraft systems (CUAS). The company also received the order after facing stiff competition due to competitive pricing among others. This order is special for the company and the investors as it is its first significant order in the anti-drone space, and the company remains confident of securing additional orders in the future. <div type="image" title="zen tech" height="900" width="1200" msid="86000056" hostid="261"></div> Zen Technologies manufactures land-based military training and driving simulators, live range equipment and anti-drone systems. The company has highlighted strong demand in training solutions and anti-drone systems in many countries. “This is a significant step toward making India a drone and counter-drone technology export hub. These orders placed on Indian companies can have a multiplier effect on the Indian equipment manufacturers ecosystem because products like anti-drone systems have a high export potential to friendly foreign countries. Anti-drone systems and training solutions are in high demand in many countries,” said Ashok Atluri, chairman, managing director and chief financial officer (CFO) of the company. As of September 3, the company has an order book of ₹402 crore including ₹278 crore domestically and ₹124 crore in exports. Adding to it, the government’s recent move to ease down drone rules in the country also seem to have triggered the stock. On August 27, the government<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/india-is-making-it-easier-to-buy-fly-and-sell-drones-with-these-16-policy-changes/articleshow/85649984.cms"> announced</a> a new set of liberal drone rules in the country wherein approval period for drone flying was reduced, charges for remote pilot licence was cut down with reduction in penalty for violation of rules. Zen Technologies is reportedly the sole listed player active in manufacturing drones in India and is expected to be the key beneficiary of the new rules.

This defence gear maker from Hyderabad has doubled shareholder wealth in just a month thanks to an order from the Indian Air Force

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Iran's navy has received a delivery of cruise missiles, drones, and reconnaissance helicopters.</li><li>Iran's navy chief said the missiles had a range of "over 1,000 km," state media reported, per Reuters.</li></ul>Iran's navy has received a new delivery of cruise missiles, loitering drones, and reconnaissance helicopters, the <a target="_blank" href="https://en.irna.ir/news/85331455/Iran-adds-strategic-cruise-missiles-to-its-navy-fleet">Islamic Republic News Agency</a>, Iran's state media agency, reported.The report said that Iran had added both the Talaiyeh and Nasir cruise missiles to its naval fleet and had also taken deliveries of other "homemade equipment," including a surface-to-surface missile system and "a system for detection and tracking of divers."The new military systems were unveiled during a ceremony at Iran's Konrak naval base in southeast Iran.Shahram Irani, the head of the Iranian navy, said: "The Talaeiyeh cruise missile has a range of over 1,000 km and is a smart missile that can change targets mid-mission," state media reported, per <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-navy-receives-new-cruise-missiles-amid-growing-regional-tension-2023-12-24/">Reuters</a>.It comes as the US Department of Defense accused Iran of a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/pentagon-says-iranian-drone-attack-hit-chemical-tanker-near-india-2023-12-24/">drone strike on a chemical tanker</a> in the Indian Ocean on Saturday."The motor vessel CHEM PLUTO, a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker, was struck at approximately 10 a.m. local time (6 a.m. GMT) today in the Indian Ocean, 200 nautical miles from the coast of India, by a one-way attack drone fired from Iran," a Pentagon spokesperson previously told Reuters.Tensions in the wider region have been on the rise as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/more-big-shipping-companies-suspend-red-sea-operations-2023-12?r=US&amp;IR=T">Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen</a> have increasingly targeted commercial ships around the Red Sea in what is ostensibly a show of support for Palestinians in Gaza.The mounting attacks have led to a series of major shipping firms suspending their operations in the Red Sea, leading to fears over global supply chains, as Business Insider previously reported.Nicholas Brumfield, a Middle East politics researcher who focuses on Yemen and maritime security, wrote in a report for the think tank the <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" href="https://www.fpri.org/article/2023/12/why-are-the-houthis-attacking-now/#:~:text=Motivated%20by%20a%20mix%20of,Israeli%20attack%20on%20Gaza%20continues.">Foreign Policy Research Institute </a>that the "attacks are unlikely to cease, and may escalate further, so long as Israel's campaign continues."On Saturday, Iran denied US accusations that it has had a hand in helping the Houthis plan the attacks on Israeli-linked ships.

Iranian navy receives new cruise missiles, drones, and recon helicopters as US accuses the country of striking a chemical tanker     

<ul class="summary-list"><li>India is trying to modernize its military of 1.5 million people with lessons from Ukraine.</li><li>Until recent years, Russia supplied India with many weapons such as tanks and jets.</li></ul>As India boosts defense spending amid tensions with China and Pakistan, it is closely studying the Ukraine conflict for clues to the future of warfare and how to thwart its neighbors.Some lessons that Indian experts have already drawn: India needs lots of artillery, drones and cyberwarfare capabilities.Comparing Ukraine to India is tricky. Ukraine faces one major enemy — Russia — while India must contend with its old enemy Pakistan to the west, and an increasingly powerful China on its northwest frontier. The Russo-Ukraine war is mostly being fought over an Eastern European landscape of plains and forest, with a moderately good road network suitable for mechanized warfare. India must prepare for combat in a variety of terrain and climate conditions, including desert, jungle and some of the tallest mountains on Earth.India is also trying to modernize and standardize equipment for its armed forces, which comprise about 1.5 million personnel armed with a potpourri of equipment from several nations, as well as indigenous Indian gear. Until recent years, Russia supplied many weapons such as tanks and jets, but India is increasingly acquiring arms from Western nations, including American howitzers, French jet fighters, and Israeli drones.The Indian Army's artillery, for example, includes more than 3,000 weapons and multiple rocket launchers, including Russian, American, Swedish and South Korean designs. Indian observers believe Ukraine shows the importance of having plentiful and modern artillery. Artillery has arguably become the decisive combat arm in that war, with Russian firing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.politico.eu/article/ukrainian-army-suffers-from-artillery-shell-hunger/">10,000 shells per day</a> and advancing, while a munitions shortage has limited Ukraine to around 2,000 shells per day. This deluge of firepower has forced both armies to dig in, and turned the conflict into trench warfare."Looking at the demonstration of artillery fire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, two lessons are available to the Indian Army," wrote Amrita Jash, an assistant professor at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.orfonline.org/public/uploads/upload/20240118114645.pdf">report</a> for the Observer Research Foundation, an Indian think tank. "First, that firepower can be a 'battle-winning factor,' and second, that the time between acquiring the target to shooting has drastically reduced: where it once took five to 10 minutes, it now takes only a minute or two."Indeed, India already planning to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/army-draws-lessons-from-ukraine-war-revises-its-artillery-requirements/article67315823.ece">modernize</a> its artillery arsenal, including switching to 155-mm howitzers — the standard NATO caliber — and developing longer-range shells and rockets.<div type="image" title="Ukrainian servicemen fire an artillery in the direction of Siversk, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on April 01, 2024." height="3000" width="4500" msid="109704222" hostid="261" sizebytes="757078"></div>The air war over Ukraine has proven to be a surprise, especially given Russian superiority in numbers of aircraft and technology. Anti-aircraft missiles have deterred the air forces of both sides from venturing into enemy airspace, with Russian aircraft limited to firing stand-off missiles at Ukrainian cities rather than providing air support for its ground troops. <a target="_blank">Drones</a> have become the stars and workhorses of the air war, with both sides deploying — and losing — drones in the hundreds of thousands.There are lessons here for Indian airpower, according to Arjun Subramaniam, a retired Indian Air Force air vice marshal who helped write the ORF report. India must prepare for "gaining control of the air in limited time and space conditions in a short, high-intensity limited conflict as well as in a longer, protracted conflict." The Air Force must also ensure that its plans are synchronized with ground and naval forces. India should also continue to focus on suppressing enemy air defenses, "particularly against an adversary that is more interested in denying rather than controlling the airspace."Not surprisingly, Subramaniam wants the Indian military to increase drone development and production. But he is also concerned about the possibility of a mass drone attack on India. "Of greater importance is the need to rapidly develop counter-drone capabilities that would be essential in responding to large-scale surprise attacks and retain effective second-strike capabilities," he wrote.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/03/20/the-cyberwar-in-ukraine-is-as-crucial-as-the-battle-in-the-trenches">Cyberwarfare</a> has also emerged in Ukraine as a crucial tool in everything from hacking into military computers and critical infrastructure to purveying propaganda and deepfakes in global media. ORF researcher Shimona Mohan noted "the increasing role of largely civilian organizations like big tech in conflict situations and the deepening interplay of civil-military partnerships around dual-use technologies like AI."Mohan recommends that India invest in cyberwarfare, as other nations are doing. "However, if this is not feasible for socio-political or economic reasons, it should be a priority for countries to ensure that their strategic geopolitical allies are formidable tech powers—for instance in this war, Ukraine received much support from its more tech-savvy partners like the US and private tech companies."Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds an MA in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.twitter.com/@mipeck1">Twitter</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mipeck/">LinkedIn</a>.

India is drawing lessons from Ukraine to counter China's military might 

<ul><li>DRDO developed a counter-drone technology system in 2020, however it did not get any order from the Indian armed forces. </li><li>Experts believe that the drone as well as counter-drone technology are fairly young and still need improvements. </li><li>Indian government rolled out guidelines against rogue <keyword id="94769" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="drones">drones</keyword> in 2013, yet the country doesn’t have enough anti-drone devices.</li></ul>As the government of India has just started recognising the potential use cases of drones in the Indian healthcare system, it was hit with a harsh reality that the enemies of the state have taken leaps to incorporate this technology to harm the South Asian nation. Two bombs were<a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jammu-iaf-base-drone-attack-jawans-saw-heard-bombs-drop-1821316-2021-06-30"> dropped</a> at the Indian Air Force station in Jammu, in the early hours of June 27 this year. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">June 27, 2021 </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Two bombs dropped on IAF base in Jammu between 1:43 a.m.-1:50 a.m. </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">June 27, 2021 </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Two more drones were spotted over IAF military stations at 11:45 p.m. and 2:40 a.m. </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">June 28, 2021 </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Two similar devices were noticed in Ratnuchak-Kaluchak military area in Jammu. This prompted soldiers to open fire. </td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Source: Media reports </td></tr></tbody></table> This compelled the Indian government and security forces to go on a shopping spree to buy expensive counter-drone systems. While there are not many counter-drone technology makers in India, few of these players include state-owned Defence Research &amp; Development Organisation (DRDO), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), ideaForge and Big Bang Boom Solutions. According to media <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bsf-it-ministry-companies-border-security-drone-attack-7386310/">reports</a>, there are over 500 companies that can help the country find a solution to its drone problem. All these companies may not make devices to harm or kill drones, but can certainly help in tracking them. There are also several military tech private companies in the country, including Adani Defence &amp; Aerospace and Kadet Defence Systems that make drones for surveillance and technology for other combat purposes; Atindriya Systems provides electronic systems and software solutions for defense, and Trijatta that develops radars and encryption devices for the military. The government of India has been aware of the potential threat that rogue drones could pose in the security of the nation and issued a <a href="https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/sites/default/files/Counter_rogue_drone_guidelnes_NSCS.pdf">National Counter Rogue Drone Guidelines </a>two years ago. The policy highlights that the drone factor should be taken seriously as unmanned aircrafts, consumer drones and do-it-yourself (DIY) drones are readily available over the internet. The policy, referring to the Israel-Lebanon war of 2006, highlights "In certain incidents, the small drones were also armed with explosive ordnance, to convert them into potentially lethal guided missiles, thus demonstrating the growing sophistication with which these potent warriors have found relevance in combat zones." Yet it has found itself short of any large scale counter-drone system. The Jammu attack in itself did not cost much, but it did highlight the urgency to invest in a counter-drone system that could prevent bigger attacks in the long run. In the coming months, the government of India wants to sign multi-million dollar [who’s saying this?] contracts with both domestic and foreign firms to procure these technologies. <div type="image" title="India has limited options for weapons that can take down enemy drones" msid="84836842" hostid="261"></div> The anti-drone technology has a massive headroom to cover Kruthi Aramanamada, head of marketing at ideaForge, explained to Business Insider that counter-drone technology is expensive and fairly new as it came into existence only a decade ago. The technology is not fully matured and there is still a lot of scope of research and development (R&amp;D) in this segment, she added. Meanwhile, Anshuman Tripathi, a drone technology expert who is also a member of the National Security Advisory Board, <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/combating-the-drone-menace-india-needs-to-pick-up-pace-with-anti-drone-measures-1823517-2021-07-03">said</a>, "Drones are still evolving and solutions to handle them are incomplete. It's a matter of a few years when the technology matures and you can standardise equipment as you go forward." Even developed countries like the US, Russia and Israel are <a href="https://theprint.in/opinion/brahmastra/india-needs-to-shop-for-anti-drone-systems-we-are-already-late/688517/">pumping billions</a> of dollars into research and development of both drones and counter-drone systems. However, they have not found a foolproof system for both hard and soft kill as yet. Indian armed forces on a look out for counter-drone systems In June 2020, IAF floated a Request for Information (RFI) for Indian vendors for Counter Unarmed Aircraft System (CUAS), which can be used to bring down the rogue drone. Apart from that, other ministries and departments are also looking to sign such contracts. However, there have not been many insights on who may end up getting such contracts. One of the possible beneficiaries of this spree is likely to be Israel-based company Smart Shooter, a company that has been developing systems to help militaries track and engage moving targets. Indian Navy had placed an order to <a href="https://theprint.in/defence/navy-orders-israeli-smash-2000-plus-systems-to-tackle-drones-more-contracts-in-offing/562955/">procure </a>an unspecified number of Smart Shooter’s SMASH 2000 Rifle Sights in December 2020. However, the Indian Army wasn’t quite impressed with it after their trials in January 2021. They found that the system may work well for the Navy as they work in open terrain, but it is not feasible for other terrains. This highlighted another major challenge among the counter-drone technology — use cases. The counter-drone system is not a ‘one size fits all’ type of solution and has to be customised based on the criticality of the situation, Aramanamada added. The debate between indigenous or foreign technology remains Prof. P B Sujit, adjunct faculty at School of Engineering and Technology at BML Munjal University, said that the current counter-drone tech is limited and mostly sourced or licensed from other countries. He also noted that there are few Indian startups in the segment as well, but the quality of those solutions is undetermined at the moment. “The trust in Indian developed tech is low. With the history of India importing from Israel, it's natural to import this. Moreover Israel has good tech which has been field tested with Palestine stuff... So the confidence levels are right with the Israel tech,” he added. Apart from the Israeli plan, the government is also on a look out for the technology developed by domestic players and foreign public as well as private sector units, drone original equipment manufacturers, defence tech firms and Defence Research &amp; Development Organisation (DRDO). Indian stand on the counter-drone infrastructure includes only a few players at the moment: <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">DRDO anti-drone system was<a href="https://www.drdo.gov.in/sites/default/files/drdo-news-documents/NPC_15-16_Aug_2020.pdf"> first </a>deployed in India in 2020, during various national events including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech. However, it is not being used. The device had the capability to detect, intercept and destroy small drones. </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">DRDO also carried out an urgent demonstration of its anti-drone system to armed forces at Kolar, a city in Karnataka, earlier in July 2021. The system has a detection capability of up to four kilometres with ‘soft kill’ option by radio frequency jamming. </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">National Security Guards had <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/india/why-india-needs-israel-as-drone-attacks-become-real-and-threatens-to-be-cataclysmic-9763551.html">awarded </a>a contract worth ₹1.49 crore to Bengaluru-based Accord Software &amp; System for procurement of indigenous Counter Drone Technology System. </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">ideaForge has partnered with German tech firm Aaronia AG to develop anti-drone tech devices. However, the solutions have not been deployed on the ground yet. </td></tr></tbody></table> Even though the army and security forces are yet to deploy DRDO’s anti-drone system, Bharat Electronics Limited and three<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bsf-to-test-drdo-anti-drone-system-on-border-ied-laden-uav-shot-down-in-jammu-101627010670994.html"> undisclosed </a>private companies have signed a technology transfer agreement with the government. The agreement would enable these players to mass-produce the system. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/political-media/news/there-are-at-least-four-hot-issues-in-india-that-the-government-has-no-data-for/articleshow/84820788.cms">There are at least four hot issues in India that the government has no data for</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/maharashtra-karnataka-and-telangana-plan-to-use-ethereum-in-their-fight-against-fake-degrees/articleshow/84823688.cms">This Indian startup is using Ethereum to help Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana fight against fake degrees</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ola-expands-esop-pool-to-3000-crore-issues-stock-worth-400-crore-to-employees/articleshow/84820171.cms">Ola expands ESOP pool to ₹3,000 crore, issues stock worth ₹400 crore to employees</a>

India has limited options for weapons that can take down enemy drones

<ul><li>In a test delivery, <keyword id="830092" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zomato">Zomato</keyword> carried out a delivery of 5 kgs for a distance of 5 kilometres within 10 minutes. </li><li>Zomato had earlier acquired TechEagle Innovation, a drone startup.</li><li>Zomato is forming a consortium as per DGCA’s guidelines to carry out experimental Beyond Visual Line Of Sight operations.</li></ul>Indian foodtech unicorn Zomato has just announced a successful test delivery using <keyword id="94769" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="drones">drones</keyword> in India. In the run, the drone covered a distance of 5 kilometres in about 10 minutes, with a peak speed of 80 kmph, carrying a load of 5 kgs. “The only possible way to reduce the average 30.5 minutes to 15 minutes is to take the aerial route – roads are not efficient for very fast delivery. We have been working towards building sustainable and safe delivery technology and with our first successful test, food delivery by drones is no longer just a pipe dream,” said Deepinder Goyal, founder and CEO, Zomato. The company said that the drone has inbuilt sensors and an onboard computer to sense and avoid static and dynamic objects, enabling autonomous flights. “They are also capable of taking off vertically like a helicopter, transiting to an airplane mode to cover the distance and then switching back to helicopter mode for vertical landing without requiring any airstrip,” said Zomato. Zomato had acquired TechEagle innovation, a drone startup in December 2018, leading to their experiments with drones. The government too has been paving way for the entry of drones. In 2016, the government announced a new draft policy, under which it proposed to set up a dedicated drone corridor, create drone ports and allow 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in manufacturing the remotely piloted aircraft in the country. This policy also hinted at making room for <keyword id="7749593" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="aerial-delivery">aerial delivery</keyword> of goods in India. However, even after the legalization of the drones (as a ban was lifted), drones still fall in the gray area in terms of government policy. Goyal said that regulatory hurdles are not trivial, and the government’s concerns need to be looked at from various points of view, even as the technology is ready to fly. Zomato is now looking to comply with the laws to incorporate drones into food delivery. “Zomato is forming a consortium as per DGCA’s guidelines to carry out experimental Beyond Visual Line Of Sight operations,” the company said. See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-drone-development-hub-to-come-up-in-hyderabad/articleshow/68936991.cms">One of the world's largest providers of industrial drone solutions is opening its hub in India</a>

Zomato just took the lead in drone delivery in India

<ul><li>The government has proposed to set up a dedicated <keyword id="7243568" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="drone-corridor">drone corridor</keyword>, create drone ports and allow 100% foreign direct investment (FDI). </li><li>However, the Indian drone industry needs much more than regulations to fly. </li><li>Funding is a major challenge that startups face.</li></ul>From photography to now possibly e-commerce delivery, <keyword id="94769" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="drones">drones</keyword> have gone from “hyped and expensive” to now being legal in <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>. However, other than for recreation, they are hardly in use. Since their launch, drones have been used mostly for photography - wedding or travel. Even that had faced issues from authorities. Drones have just failed to take over the Indian skies, as expected, even after the Indian government declared them <a href="https://www.businesstoday.in/sectors/aviation/flying-drones-to-be-legal-in-india-from-december-1/story/281690.html">legal.</a> In 2016, the government announced a <a href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/policy/drone-policy-2-0-india-pitches-for-optimum-utilisation-of-drones-3399661.html">new draft policy</a>, under which it has proposed to set up a dedicated drone corridor, create drone ports and allow 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in manufacturing the remotely piloted aircraft in the country. The Indian government is also asking drone companies to <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/tech/drone-companies-asked-to-install-safety-chip-to-avoid-mishaps/articleshow/67581061.cms">install chips</a> in their drones, so that they can be disabled in case they go rogue. One of the most important use cases of drones was meant to be the Indian agriculture industry – from surveillance to crop health monitoring and treatment, which is still looked at only by a few startups. India’s <keyword id="2823175" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="drone-policy">drone policy</keyword> also looks into the optimum utilization of drones allowing them to be used for delivery of goods. This could be a big boost for the Indian e-commerce industry. Recently, food tech unicorn Zomato had acquired TechEagle innovation, a drone startup, which fuelled rumours that the company will soon be experimenting with aerial food delivery. “Drones will be an integral part of our lives be it for last mile delivery, security, 3D mapping, agriculture and several other use cases. Food delivery via drones will help reduce the last mile delivery leg and make the process more convenient and cost-effective. <keyword id="6370270" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="unmanned-aerial-vehicles">Unmanned aerial vehicles</keyword> will significantly mitigate the delivery time while also increasing the reach,” said Vikram Singh Meena, Founder, TechEagle. Even with all the ‘supposed’ encouragement from the government in the form of favourable regulation, there are many hurdles that grapple the Indian <keyword id="4005978" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="drone-startups">drone startups</keyword>. “Some of the key challenges which still exists is the timely certification of the drones, readiness by the manufacturers and democratization of the applications, ” said Vipul Singh, CEO and Co-founder, Aarav Unmanned Systems. “Research and Development ecosystem for drones in India is lagging way behind the global ecosystem.” Globally, Amazon declared in 2013 that it will be experimenting drone delivery which sent the entire world into a frenzy. However, cut to 2019 and the global e-retail giant is still <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6583693/Amazon-secretly-testing-delivery-drones-UK-countryside.html">‘testing’ </a>drone delivery. At this stage, Singh believes that Indian drone startup sector is still very small and needs extreme support from the government – which could come in in the form of a drone VC fund, more pilot projects, skill development programs, financial support for working capital, and expedited development of certification and testing centers, among others. He added that with the introduction of regulation, on one hand most of the demands by both the government and private enterprises are going to scale up. On the other hand, most of the benefit will reach companies that follow regulatory compliance and use certified equipment. See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/arm-the-allies-india-might-become-first-country-out-of-nato-to-buy-armed-drones-from-the-us/articleshow/65053966.cms">Arm the allies: India might become first country out of NATO to buy armed drones from the US</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/europes-busiest-airport-is-shut-down-after-a-drone-sighting/articleshow/67444726.cms">Europe's busiest airport is shut down after a drone sighting</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/alphabets-drone-delivery-company-is-testing-a-quieter-delivery-drone-after-its-original-model-annoyed-townspeople-and-their-dogs/articleshow/67390414.cms">Alphabet's drone delivery company is testing a quieter delivery drone after its original model annoyed townspeople and their dogs</a>

India has over 40,000 drones, but where are they really?

<ul><li><keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> successfully tested the Feihong-98 (FH-98) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the Inner Mongolia region on Tuesday. </li><li>With the capacity to carry 1.5 tons expanding along 15 cubic meters, this is the ‘largest <keyword id="6970585" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="transport-drone">transport drone</keyword>’ in the world. </li><li>While it’s a commercial drone, there is potential for it to be applied in the situations of natural disasters and disaster relief.</li></ul>Drones are the cutting edge of technology but every generation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are different. The <a href="http://innermongolia.chinadaily.com.cn/baotou/2018-10/18/c_283049.htm">newest development</a> comes from China where they’ve turned their Shifei Y5B indigenously developed transport plane into the Feihong-98 (FH-98) unmanned transport aircraft. 
	<div type="twitter" handle="dafengcao" handlename="dafeng cao" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/749479581623521280/UMNBdBaC_normal.jpg" favoritecount="20" retweetcount="9" status="A demo flight of unmanned Y-5B today in Inner Mongolia. https://t.co/LaAKshMuiM" createdat="1539658161000" id="1052028696779882497"></div>



 And with a maximum capacity of 5.25 tons as well as 15 cubic meters as its disposal for storage, it’s the largest commercial drone in the world. According to China Daily, the drone was successfully tested in North China's Inner Mongolia region on Tuesday. Developed in collaboration between the China Academy of Aerospace Electronics Technology (CAAET) and SF Express, it’s not a military drone, but meant for for commercial use. The main intent of the drone is to make deliveries, but with FH-98’s potential, the drone could have wider applications. And, here’s why: The drone has a range of 1,200kms, that’s nearly how far Mumbai is on the western coast of <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> from Puducherry on the eastern coast. On top of that, it can carry a maximum payload of 1.5 tonnes (3,300 pounds) or 3 average sized polar bears. And when on the move, the drone can travel at a speed of 180 km/hr. This means that in emergency situations or when natural calamities strike, this drone can actually be used to transport much needed supplies for disaster relief. The added benefit is that since it only needs a simple runway to take off and land, its infrastructural requirements for efficiency aren’t extensive. Though it’s unlikely that the plane will rule over the skies anytime soon, the drone is a part of China’s ‘Made in China 2025’ program. The program is similar to India’s ‘Make in India’ policy that focuses of expanding they country’s manufacturing base.

You Searched For "india drone policy" and got 12 results

Himachal Pradesh becomes the first Indian state to approve a policy for drones

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India is making it easier to buy, fly and sell drones with these 16 policy changes

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Govt approves PLI scheme for making drones with outlay of Rs 120 cr, comes out with norms

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This defence gear maker from Hyderabad has doubled shareholder wealth in just a month thanks to an order from the Indian Air Force

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Iranian navy receives new cruise missiles, drones, and recon helicopters as US accuses the country of striking a chemical tanker

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India is drawing lessons from Ukraine to counter China's military might

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India has limited options for weapons that can take down enemy drones

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Zomato just took the lead in drone delivery in India

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India has over 40,000 drones, but where are they really?

Sanchita Dash

China transforms its transport plane into the largest transport drone in the world

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