DFI Chief Smit Shah rebuts over RaGa’s remarks over the Indian Drone Industry !
A heated exchange has erupted over India’s drone technology capabilities after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi questioned the country’s ability to produce key drone components. In response, Smit Shah, President of the Drone Federation of India (DFI) , strongly refuted Gandhi’s claims , asserting that India has made significant strides in drone manufacturing and innovation.
Rahul Gandhi, in a recent video, criticized India’s drone industry while using a banned China drone , alleging that the country relies on imported technology critical components. However, Shah was quick to counter these remarks, calling them “misinformed” and “detrimental to India’s thriving drone ecosystem”.
Shah emphasized that India is home over to 400 companies engaged in design, manufacturing and deployment of drones across various sectors , including agriculture, healthcare, logistics and defence. He pointed out that more than 50 Indian firms are actively producing essential drone components such as flight controllers , navigation systems, propulsion units , and advanced technologies.
“The Indian drone industry has witnessed rapid growth, supported by government initiatives and indigenous innovation. Claiming that we lack component manufacturing capability is not only misleading but also undermines the efforts of thousands of engineers and entrepreneurs who are making India self-reliant in this sector “, said Shah.
Addressing the use of a foreign made drone in Gandhi’s video, Shah noted that Indian government banned the import of fully built drones in 2022 to promote domestic manufacturing. He raised concerns about whether Gandhi had the necessary permissions for operating the device, given the stringent guidelines under the India’s Drone Rules, 2021.
Shah urged political leaders to engage in fact based discussions rather than making statements that could demotivate industry stakeholders. “India’s drone sector is at a crucial stage of growth. Instead of questioning our capabilities, we should work together to enhance our global competitiveness”, he stated.
With increasing government support, investments, and innovation, the Indian drone industry is set to become a key player in global markets. Experts believe that with continued efforts and collaboration between policymakers and Industry leaders, Drone industry in India can strengthen its position in the Global Drone Market.
Dhanya Reddy S
Alma Media School Student
