How is the Defence Ministry Promoting Indigenisation of UAV and C-UAS Technologies?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Workshop aims to promote indigenisation of UAV and C-UAS technologies.
- Event expected to gather leading defence officials and industry stakeholders.
- Focus on reducing dependency on foreign OEMs for critical components.
- Aligns with the national mission of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
- Anticipated creation of a roadmap for indigenous UAV and C-UAS capabilities.
New Delhi, July 15 (NationPress) India is enhancing its self-sufficiency in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) technologies. To decrease reliance on imported critical components, the Ministry of Defence is implementing significant initiatives.
On July 16, a workshop and exhibition will be held at the Manekshaw Centre in the national capital, aimed at promoting the indigenisation of essential components currently sourced from abroad in the UAV and C-UAS sectors.
Organised by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) in partnership with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), this event seeks to diminish India’s dependency on foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for crucial UAV and C-UAS components.
This effort follows Operation Sindoor, which arose amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, where UAVs and C-UAS systems played a vital role. These platforms were critical in delivering real-time situational awareness, enabling precision strikes, and protecting human lives, thus demonstrating the capability and preparedness of India’s indigenous defence technologies during live operations.
The Ministry of Defence has stated that the workshop will convene leading defence officials, industry representatives, scientists, policymakers, and military strategists to develop a thorough roadmap for indigenisation.
This gathering is expected to spark innovation, encourage technology-sharing, and establish sustainable domestic capabilities in the unmanned systems arena.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan, will be the Chief Guest at the event. The valedictory address will be presented by the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who will highlight the key insights and outline the proposed strategic policy document focused on indigenising UAV and C-UAS systems and their essential subsystems.
This initiative aligns with the national objective of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, which aims to bolster India’s defence preparedness, curtail import reliance, and establish the country as a center for advanced military technologies.
The day’s highlights will include expert talks, live demonstrations of indigenous platforms, and focused discussions aimed at closing existing gaps in domestic production capabilities.
The anticipated outcome of the workshop is the formulation of a forward-looking roadmap that will guide India towards achieving fully indigenous UAV and C-UAS capabilities in the foreseeable future, the official remarked.