The Ministry of Rural Development, led by Kamlesh Paswan, inaugurated Garuda Aerospace’s Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility in Chennai, alongside the launch of 300 Centres of Excellence (CoE) and a DGCA-approved Train the Trainer (TTT) program. The event, attended by members of the Bharat Drone Association, included a live demonstration of agri-drones by skilled operators, reinforcing India’s commitment to self-reliance in drone technology.
Paswan commended Garuda Aerospace and its CEO Agnishwar Jayaprakash for advancing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India a global leader in drone manufacturing. He praised the Bharat Drone Association for uniting local component manufacturers at the state-of-the-art Indigenization Factory, which aims to produce 100,000 drones by 2026. Garuda Aerospace has already delivered 4,000 drones, with Jayaprakash expressing confidence in meeting the ambitious goal within two years.
Spanning 35,000 square feet, the facility serves as India’s first dedicated hub for drone design, manufacturing, and testing. It expands Garuda Aerospace’s existing production capabilities and represents a major step forward in skill development. The Train the Trainer (TTT) program will equip educators and professionals with the expertise needed to become certified drone instructors.
The 300 Centres of Excellence, established in partnership with academic institutions and industry leaders, will foster innovation, research, and training in the drone sector, ensuring India remains at the forefront of global UAV advancements.
Garuda Aerospace’s expansion signals India’s growing dominance in unmanned aerial systems, aligning with its long-term vision of technological leadership in agriculture, surveillance, and emergency response.
