The objective of the partnership is to foster the growth and advancement of the drone ecosystem across India.
Thales, a global aerospace company, and Garuda Aerospace have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) effective from August 2024, aiming to enhance the drone ecosystem in India. This collaboration will concentrate on nurturing innovation and developing technological advancements for safe, secure drone operations, as well as the expansion of drone-based applications throughout the nation.
Thales contributes its expertise in UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) solutions for efficient UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) flight authorizations and brings radar and sensor technologies for superior detection capabilities and system integration. Established in 2015, Garuda Aerospace is a prominent name in India’s UAV manufacturing landscape, recognized for its advanced UAV production and service applications. The company boasts an extensive fleet of over 2500 drones and has a workforce of 4000 pilots across 400 districts, serving diverse industry needs, including defence projects. Thales is internationally acknowledged for its UAV solutions and offers comprehensive systems for drone integration and sophisticated UTM systems. The company works closely with civil aviation authorities and air navigation service providers to implement crucial UTM features like registration, authorization, and geo-awareness, ensuring the integration of additional functions such as aircraft tracking and deconfliction over time.
Ashish Saraf, VP and Country Director of Thales in India commented that the government is establishing a robust foundation for the drone ecosystem by encouraging collaboration, innovation, and growth. He expressed enthusiasm about working with Garuda Aerospace to enhance UTM systems in India, leveraging their extensive global experience and expertise in aeronautical solutions. Saraf highlighted that this partnership aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and supports India’s ambition to emerge as a significant global drone hub by 2030.
Garuda Aerospace is set to propel technological progress in drones and their applications through this partnership with Thales. Following the launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of 100 Garuda drones in 100 villages, Garuda Aerospace has rapidly expanded its operations, now dominating the precision agriculture drone segment with a 50% market share.
Agnishwar Jayaprakash, founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, noting their eagerness to collaborate with Thales to foster technological innovations in the development of drones and drone-based applications in India. With the largest drone fleet in the country and supported by Thales’ UTM technology and global expertise, Garuda Aerospace is well-positioned to transform the drone sector and significantly contribute to making India a leading global drone powerhouse.
