Modi’s Drone Dream Takes Flight: Federation President Credits PM for India’s Aerial Ascent

Unknown Apr 02, 2026 750 Views

India’s rapid ascent as a global drone powerhouse is being credited directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and leadership, according to Smit Shah, President of the Drone Federation of India. Speaking at the Powering Bharat Summit 2025, Shah emphasized that Modi’s proactive policies and strategic interventions have not only accelerated the growth of the indigenous drone sector but also positioned India as a serious contender on the world stage.

Key Points:

Visionary Leadership: Smit Shah declared that PM Modi is rightful of the first claim for having established India's drone ecosystem, bringing industry, academia, and government together under one vision to position India as a global drone hub. The emphasis has moved beyond policy adjustments to intellectual property development and technological innovations, described by Shah as the "power that took effect in the skies" in recent defence operations.
Policy Breakthroughs: The unveiling of the Drone Rules 2021 significantly cut through the regulatory barriers, cutting the number of permissions and licenses needed, and facilitating easier innovation and scaling for startups and incumbent players alike. Actions such as prohibiting imported drones and initiating the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme have additionally spurred local manufacturing and R&D.
Ecosystem Impact: India's drone industry today has more than 400 companies and thousands of certified pilots, with domestic companies such as IG Drones, Tata Advanced Systems, and Alpha Design Technologies dominating both civilian and defence usage. The industry is expected to touch $11 billion by 2030, with defence exports touching an all-time high.
Challenges Ahead: Shah noted the need for faster procurement processes and greater collaboration between users and industry to maintain momentum, especially in developing ancillary technologies like electronic warfare-hardened drones.

With PM Modi’s continued support, India’s drone industry is set to soar even higher, driving technological self-reliance and global competitiveness.

Source: Moneycontrol, The Raisina Hills, PSA.gov.in

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