Made in India, Flying Worldwide
Indian drone manufacturers are not just showcasing technology—they’re now exporting innovation. Some companies are even establishing manufacturing bases in the United States, aiming to gain a foothold in the NATO defense ecosystem.
Over the past few years, Indian defense services have collectively spent ₹3,000 crore (~$350 million) on procuring 2,500+ military drones, validating the credibility and performance of homegrown systems.
With estimates placing the Indian drone market between $4 billion and $40 billion in the next decade, India is set to become a global drone export hub.
Government Push for Self-Reliance
Backed by reforms like the Drone Rules 2021 and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, India is aggressively encouraging domestic drone manufacturing.
In the 2025-26 Union Budget, the government allocated ₹57 crore ($6.5 million) to the PLI scheme for drones—a 72% increase from the previous year. The move is designed to increase localization of drone components, which currently stands at 40-50%, to 70% or more.
With nearly 300 drone manufacturers across the country, India is already producing a variety of UAS for both defense and civilian sectors. The long-term goal: make India a global drone manufacturing hub by 2030, contributing 1–1.5% to GDP and creating over 500,000 jobs.
Zen Technologies: Armenia’s Choice, America’s Next?
Zen Technologies has emerged as a key player in India’s anti-drone landscape. After being adopted by the Indian Air Force in 2021, the company’s C-UAS systems have now been exported to Armenia, propelling its global profile.
Zen secured a ₹227 crore ($27.3 million) order from the Indian Army for 20 C-UAS units and is now in the process of setting up a manufacturing unit in the U.S. to supply systems to NATO allies.
Zen has also partnered with AVT Simulation (Florida) to co-develop advanced simulation and training systems for defense personnel.
Paras Defence: Covering All Fronts
Paras Defence and Space Technologies, with over 50 years of expertise, showcased its multi-domain capabilities ranging from rocket systems and quantum communication to naval warfare and anti-drone systems.
Their ground-based satellite tracking systems have sparked interest from Japan and South Korea, while their anti-drone solution is under field trials by the Indian Army in key strategic regions.
Their system can detect and neutralize drones within a 3 km radius, and can be deployed via handheld or transportable units, using laser and EMP-based hard-kill options.
Garuda Aerospace: Innovating for Defense and Disaster Relief
Garuda Aerospace made waves at Aero India 2025 by unveiling eight new drone systems designed for both military and civil operations. Notably, its Land Mine Detection and Diffusion System attracted interest from Armenia, further cementing Garuda’s place in the international spotlight.
Other notable innovations included:
- Rocket Launcher Drone
- Logistics Drone
- Firefighting Drone for disaster response
- VR-based Military Drone Simulator
- Thales Garuda UTM
- Grenade & Canister Dropping Drone
Already active in multiple government programs, Garuda continues to push the envelope with homegrown tech that’s ready for export.
India’s Drone Decade Has Begun
With defense, disaster management, logistics, and space sectors adopting drones at scale, India’s drone journey is just getting started.
And with countries like Armenia adopting Indian systems and American partnerships on the horizon, the skies are the limit for India’s drone diplomacy.
