IdeaForge Takes Flight in the U.S.

Indian drone manufacturing company IdeaForge, ranked fifth globally in the dual-use category of civil and defense, is making a bold entrance into the American drone market. This move comes at a time when there’s increasing reluctance to buy or acquire drones made in China, giving IdeaForge a unique opportunity to shine.

A Decade of Leapfrogging Progress

Ankit Mehta, the CEO of IdeaForge, shared with PTI Videos how the Indian drone industry has evolved dramatically over the past decade. He noted that the industry has “leapfrogged in the last 10 years with an enabling environment from the Indian government,” especially gaining pace after the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“I think before the pandemic, the rules and regulations around drones were fairly stringent, and they did not allow a lot of flexibility in terms of use and deployment,” Mehta explained. “But since the pandemic, the floodgates, in a way, have opened. The adoption of technology has become wholehearted, and now people want to deploy drones for as many use cases as possible.”

 

Easing Regulations Fuel Growth

Mehta highlighted how the previously restrictive regulations have become more relaxed, allowing for a regulated environment conducive to drone operations. “We are seeing a lot of intent in terms of adopting the technology, and we are seeing a lot of regulatory support for doing that,” he said.

 

India’s production-linked incentive scheme for drones and the ban on the import of certain technologies have fostered an environment where Indian companies can develop and demonstrate their capabilities.

 

Uniquely Indian Drones

“I think Indian drones are very unique in the sense that they’ve been built in some of the harshest environments and the highest altitude requirements in the world,” Mehta stated. He detailed how drones in India operate at altitudes of over 6,000 meters in the Himalayas, in temperatures as low as minus 30°C, and in the deserts of Rajasthan.

 

Diverse Applications

Mehta illustrated the wide range of applications for drones in India, from traffic and crowd management to counterinsurgency, counter-terrorism, and border management. “These challenges are quite acute, and many applications are being developed in India and deployed at scale,” he added.

 

Showcasing in the U.S.

Mehta and his team are currently traveling across various U.S. cities to demonstrate their products. One such demonstration was held in the Washington DC National Capital region, where they received an enthusiastic response. “The autonomy we offer is very interesting and exciting for people,” Mehta noted.

 

Innovative Products

One standout product is the Netra V 4 Pro, a lightweight drone offering more than 90 minutes of flying time with payloads. “It’s almost three times more than what is usually available in the market,” Mehta remarked, highlighting the product’s impressive performance.

 

Rich Experience and Global Potential

Founded in 2007 by a group of IITians from Mumbai, IdeaForge has extensive experience, having conducted over 420,000 missions in India. “It’s really a rich experience that we can bring to the table here, and we see a lot of commonalities with the U.S. in terms of operational environments,” Mehta said.

 

Future Prospects

When asked about India’s purchase of armed drones from General Atomics, Mehta emphasized the need for sustained long-term investment from the government to reach that level of manufacturing. He praised India’s talent pool and regulatory framework but stressed the importance of ongoing support for research and development.

 

A Call for Enhanced Support

Mehta called for enhancements to the production-linked incentive scheme, which supports design incentives for drone companies and provides R&D capital. “A lot of upfront R&D capital needs to be allocated for this technology space,” he said, advocating for more effort and support to benefit the drone ecosystem.

 

For future updates and more insights into the aviation world, stay tuned to my blog. If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to contact me at info@aviationhotshot.com. Stay safe and keep flying!

 

Dave Rohee, Aviation Enthusiast and Blogger