Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), also referred to as drones, are aircraft that do not require a human pilot. The drone industry in India is still in its infancy stage, but it is expected to grow and evolve over the next few years. At present, drones are widely used in military and commercial applications such as surveillance, crop protection, construction project surveying, filmmaking, healthcare, e-commerce delivery, and more.
Since traditional methods are sometimes time-intensive and prone to human error, utilising drones in their place can result in considerable cost savings and mass adoption while enhancing the value of information obtained.
Thus, several startups and companies are currently involved in developing and identifying new applications and use cases for drones. And this is driving the drone industry further. Additionally, startups in India are focusing on improving and advancing their technological capabilities, while corporations are heavily investing in the drone ecosystem. However, cybersecurity issues associated with drone applications present themselves as a constraint, and thus, the government has imposed prohibitions or restrictions on drone possession and imports.
Furthermore, the Indian government's increased efforts through the implementation of liberal policies and other initiatives, including drone shakti, a production-linked incentive scheme, increased air space, and others, are all collectively supporting the market's growth.
The increasing array of drone applications is not only accelerating the market but also propelling the entire drone ecosystem, which includes drone maintenance, repair and overhaul, drone platform services, as well as drone training and education.
As the cost of an enterprise-level drone might be prohibitively expensive, most companies are opting for drones as a service.
This is anticipated to boost the growth of the Drones-as-a-Service sector, which often supports enterprises in managing expenditures.
Take a look at our recent point of view on 'India's emerging drone industry,' which provides an insight into the evolution of drones in India, the potential that we see for it gaining commercial acceptance and conducive measures undertaken by the government.