DGCA chief inaugurates Garuda Aerospace Drone Battery manufacturing facility

In a major boost to India’s indigenous drone manufacturing ecosystem, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), inaugurated a new drone battery manufacturing facility set up by Garuda Aerospace in Chennai. The facility was unveiled during Bharat Drone Udaan, an industry event organised by the Bharat Drone Association at Garuda Aerospace’s operations centre.

The inauguration comes shortly after Garuda Aerospace launched its defence drone manufacturing unit, marking another significant milestone in the company’s expansion. Backed by former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni, the startup continues to strengthen its position as a key player in India’s rapidly evolving drone sector, with a focus on domestic manufacturing and self-reliance.

During the visit, Kidwai also inaugurated a newly developed Academic Block at Garuda Aerospace’s DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO). The expanded academic infrastructure is expected to increase training capacity and improve curriculum delivery, catering to the growing demand for certified drone pilots across sectors such as agriculture, defence, infrastructure, disaster response, and logistics.

The DGCA chief also released the Garuda Bharat Drone Udaan Impact Book, a publication that documents Garuda Aerospace’s growth journey, technological milestones, and real-world applications of drone technology across rural and industrial India. The book highlights innovative use cases, successful case studies, and the company’s role in promoting responsible drone adoption and ecosystem development under the Make in India initiative.

Speaking at the event, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and Director of Garuda Aerospace, said the company’s evolution reflects the impact of progressive government policies. “From our beginnings in agricultural technology a decade ago, we have grown into India’s largest drone company, having manufactured more than 3,000 drones and trained over 2,500 pilots. We were the first to receive DGCA approvals for both manufacturing and training, and our clients were the first to benefit from AIF-backed drone loans,” he said.

Jayaprakash added that initiatives such as the SMAM drone subsidy scheme, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) program, and government-led efforts to empower women’s self-help groups with agricultural drones have played a crucial role in scaling the industry. “Our growth would not have been possible without consistent regulatory support from the DGCA and the Ministry. We remain committed to local manufacturing and positioning India as a global drone hub,” he noted.

Addressing the gathering, DGCA Kidwai praised Garuda Aerospace for its wide-ranging drone portfolio and focus on indigenisation.