29 April 2025, New Delhi: In a significant step toward technological self-reliance, IIT Ropar and AVPL International have announced a strategic partnership to develop India’s first fully indigenous drone system. The collaboration aims to eliminate reliance on foreign components by designing and manufacturing all critical elements—hardware, software, and artificial intelligence—entirely within India.
India’s rapidly expanding drone industry currently depends heavily on imported components such as flight control systems, GPS modules, AI software, and communication tools. In many cases, the underlying software and data infrastructure are hosted abroad, raising concerns around cybersecurity, data privacy, and national security, particularly for sectors like defense and agriculture.
This joint initiative will be anchored at IIT Ropar’s Centre of Excellence in Defence and Security. The research will focus on creating a fully Indian drone ecosystem, including proprietary flight control systems, AI algorithms, and encrypted communication protocols. The goal is to ensure that Indian drones are not only technologically advanced but also secure and sovereign.
“This is not just about drones—it’s about data, security, and strategic independence,” said Mr. N.K. Mohapatra, CEO of AVPL International. “Foreign software means foreign control. By developing everything locally, we are cutting off external influence and securing India’s technological future.”
Backing this vision, AVPL International has committed an initial investment of ₹5–6 crore to fund the research and development over the next three to four years, with further investment likely as the project evolves. The focus will be on scalable and cost-effective solutions that support both commercial and strategic applications.
Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT Ropar, emphasized the importance of indigenous innovation. “India must have full command over its technological assets. This partnership allows us to build homegrown drone systems that prioritize national security, intelligence, and innovation. We’re not only advancing aerospace capabilities—we’re strengthening India’s defense backbone.”
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