India has never shied away from bold ambitions and the dream of becoming a global drone superpower by 2030 is no exception. With initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat leading the charge, there’s a strong push to build a self-reliant drone ecosystem. Our country is envisioning an environment where we just don't just rely on imports but create, innovate, and export world-class drone technology right here on home turf.
And the timing couldn’t be better. Whether it’s improving crop yields through precision agriculture, enhancing disaster response, or strengthening national security, drones are becoming a strategic asset in our country’s development.
Startups are buzzing, R&D is gaining serious momentum, and “Made in India drones” is no longer just a slogan - it’s becoming a reality in 2025. With the Drone Rules 2021 and the PLI scheme launched in 2022 laying the foundation, India’s drone industry is rapidly growing.
Also read: Drone laws in 2025 - What every operator show know
As we move closer to the government’s vision of becoming a global drone hub, the focus on self-reliance in drone manufacturing has never been stronger.
But here’s the thing: wanting it and achieving it are two very different ball games.
Can India really overcome the challenges standing in the way of building a self-reliant drone industry? That’s what we’re exploring.
Can India Lead The Self-Reliant Drone Race in 2025?
Despite all the momentum, building a truly self-reliant drone industry in India is easier said than done here are seven key challenges that stand in the way.
#1 Dependence on Imported Components
One of the biggest speed bumps on India’s road to drone self-reliance is its heavy dependence on imported components. Today, more than 60% of the core parts like sensors, autopilot systems, flight controllers, and batteries are sourced from abroad, especially from China.
And when your parts come with geopolitical strings attached, that’s a serious vulnerability. It is not just for your drone industry in India, but for national security too.
The crux of the issue is we’re still playing catch-up when it comes to manufacturing advanced hardware like LiDAR sensors and high-performance microchips domestically.
Local players, including promising names like Zuppa, have made real strides in developing Made in India drones, especially indigenous autopilot systems. But scaling that tech across the board remains a big ask - largely due to high R&D costs and a weak local supply chain for precision electronics.
The 2022 import restrictions on foreign drones added urgency to the situation, pushing manufacturers to localize operations by 2026. What’s needed now is a serious push through the PLI scheme, stronger academic-industry tie-ups (IITs are a great place to start), and long-term investment in drone manufacturing in India that goes beyond assembling imported parts.
#2 Inconsistent Regulatory Framework
The Drone Rules 2021 were a major step forward. They promised ease of doing business and fewer approvals. But on the ground, things move slowly. Delays in certifications and airspace approvals are still a common pain point.
The Digital Sky platform, meant to simplify permissions, is underused. Many startups struggle with the system. Even big names like DroneAcharya have faced long wait times for type certification. That means months of delay before a product even hits the market.
One big issue is the lack of clear rules for BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations. Trials started in 2023, but as of 2025, there’s no clear roadmap. This makes it harder for drone delivery services and surveillance firms to plan ahead.
To grow the drone industry in India, we need faster approvals, stronger Digital Sky adoption, and well-defined BVLOS norms. Clear, timely policies will improve trust and drive drone manufacturing in India forward.
#3 Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
Drones built with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components are easy targets for cyberattacks. Hacking, GPS spoofing, and data leaks are real threats especially in defense and surveillance.
One major reason is India still lacks a strong, indigenous software base. Most Made in India drones still rely on foreign code or unsecured systems. That’s risky when drones are flying over sensitive zones.
Companies like EndureAir are trying to build tamper-proof systems. But without serious investment in cybersecurity R&D, progress is slow. Global conflicts, like the Russia-Ukraine war, have shown how weaponized drones can be compromised.
Post-2025, India has started waking up to the threat. We need to leverage AI for secure communications, and partner with DRDO under the TDF Scheme to create a trusted drone technology India stack.
You can also read our guide on Can drones be hacked to get a more in-depth knowledge on this topic.
#4 Limited Skilled Workforce
India faces a major shortage of skilled drone engineers, pilots, and AI experts. This limits innovation and slows the growth of the drone industry in India.
The issue lies in the lack of specialized education. Few institutes offer quality drone courses, and the cost of skilling is high.
While the Drone Shakti initiative launched in 2022 aims to address this, skill gaps will likely persist until 2028. The solution is to expand partnerships with institutes like NITs through AASSC and subsidize training under the SMAM Scheme to make drone education more accessible.
#5 High R&D Costs and Funding Gaps
Developing advanced drones like swarm technology or high-altitude UAVs is expensive. It requires significant capital, which is hard to come by.
Venture capital in India tends to favor consumer tech over deep-tech innovations like drones.
Since 2023, this issue has only intensified. The PLI scheme offers some help, but it’s not enough for deep-tech research and development. We have to increase funding under the TDF scheme to ₹100 crore per project and establish drone-specific VC funds to fuel growth for this industry.
#6 Low Rural Adoption in Agriculture
Despite the potential of agricultural drones, their adoption in rural India remains low. The primary barriers are high costs (₹5-10 lakh) and limited awareness among farmers.
Small farmers, in particular, find drone technology out of reach. Training programs and initiatives like SENSAGRI (2016-2023) have struggled to scale beyond urban areas. Even the PMFBY scheme (source: PMFBY) offers subsidies, but they haven’t reached farmers at scale by 2025.
The solution lies in offering 80% subsidies through FPOs (Farmer Producer Organization) and organizing rural drone demonstrations. This will make drones more accessible and showcase their benefits directly to farmers.
Also read: Government subsidies for Agri drones in India 2025
#7 Scaling Counter-Drone Technologies
As drone misuse grows, the need for advanced counter-drone systems in India is becoming urgent. However, India still lags in developing effective solutions.
The main hurdles are high costs and the complex nature of the technology, such as RF jammers. This makes it difficult for Made in India drones to compete with global leaders like Israel.
The need for robust counter-drone technology became even more pressing post-2024, due to heightened regional security threats. The solution is to increase funding for counter-drone R&D through iDEX and foster collaboration with Israel for technology transfer.
In the end, India’s journey toward a self-reliant drone industry is just getting started. While the road ahead is filled with challenges, these obstacles aren’t insurmountable. With the right investments, clearer regulations, and a focus on local talent, India can create a thriving drone ecosystem.
This won’t just be about technology, but about building a foundation for innovation in agriculture, defense, and beyond.
It’s going to take time, collaboration, and a lot of hard work, but with the right mindset, India has the potential to lead the global drone industry in the coming years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key government schemes for drones in India?
India has rolled out several schemes to support the drone industry. These include the PLI scheme, which offers ₹120 crore for manufacturing drones, Drone Shakti for supporting startups, SMAM that provides subsidies for agricultural drones, TDF for R&D funding, and iDEX, which encourages defense innovations.
How are drones used in Indian agriculture?
Drones in agriculture are mainly used for crop monitoring, spraying pesticides, and estimating yields. While their potential is vast, the high costs and lack of awareness among farmers have slowed adoption. Government initiatives like PMFBY and SENSAGRI are pushing for greater use of drones in rural areas, but there’s still work to be done.
What is the market potential of India’s drone industry?
India’s drone market is expected to grow rapidly, from $654 million in 2024 to $1.44 billion by 2029, with a 17% annual growth rate (source:marketsandmarkets). This growth is driven by demand across sectors like agriculture, defense and logistics, which are increasingly turning to drone technology for innovation and efficiency.
