On June 14, 2025, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan inaugurated the Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility of Garuda Aerospace in Chennai. While inaugurating the facility, the Minister launched 300 Centres of Excellence (CoEs), and administered the initiation of the DGCA approved Train the Trainer (TTT) program for creating a drone-ready workforce, and furthered the cause of positioning India as a nation at the cutting edge of Drone innovation, self-reliance, and skill enhancement. These initiatives represent a significant milestone along the way to delivering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India the Global Drone Hub by 2030.
India is rapidly transforming itself into a global powerhouse for drone manufacturing and skilling. The launch of Garuda Aerospace’s Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility, the largest of its kind, launch of 300 Centres of Excellence, and a TTT initiative right across India, represents a notable step forward for indigenous drone manufacture, innovation, and people capacity.
Key Launches by Shri Kamlesh Paswan
• Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility, Chennai
• 300 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in India
• Train the Trainer (TTT) – DGCA approved program
• Live demonstration of Agri-Drones by trained Drone Didis
Facility and Programme Highlights
Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility
- Size: 35,000 sq. ft.
- Output Target: 1 lakh drones by 2026
- Current Production: 4,000 drones delivered so far
- Focus on design, manufacturing, and testing of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
Train the Trainer Programme (TTT)
- Certified skilling programme to train educators as drone instructors
- Boosts rural employability and women empowerment (notably through Drone Didis)
300 Centres of Excellence (CoEs)
- Established in collaboration with academic institutions and industry partners
- Promote drone innovation, R&D, and skill development
Vision and Endorsements
• PM Modi’s 2022 vision: manufacture 1 lakh Made-In India drones by 2026
• The Minister endorsed Agnishwar Jayaprakash, CEO of Garuda Aerospace, and the Bharat Drone Association
• A first-ever occasion to have over 2,000 Agri-Drones in a single location- demonstrated depth and scale of commitment
