India's drone sector must boost local manufacturing to cut import reliance

The Indian drone industry must accelerate localisation efforts to reduce its dependence on imported components, warned Smit Shah, president of the Drone Federation of India. The sector's vulnerability stems from its reliance on foreign-made critical components including motors, batteries, flight controllers, communication systems and rare earth magnets.

This import dependence creates multiple risks for India's emerging drone ecosystem. International supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions and export restrictions imposed by foreign governments could significantly hamper domestic drone manufacturers and operators, potentially stalling the sector's growth trajectory.

The Drone Federation of India's cautionary stance reflects growing concerns within the industry about building a sustainable, self-reliant manufacturing base. As drone applications expand across agriculture, infrastructure inspection, logistics and defence sectors, the need for domestic component production becomes increasingly critical.

Industry experts emphasise that developing local capabilities in key manufacturing areas would not only enhance supply chain resilience but also create employment opportunities and reduce overall production costs. The call for deeper localisation aligns with India's broader 'Make in India' initiative and efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity across strategic sectors.