#AatmanirbharBharat #UAVIndia #CounterDrone #CUAS #MakeInIndia #IndianDefence #DroneTechnology #DefenceIndigenisation #MoDIndia #CDSIndia
New Delhi — In a decisive step toward achieving technological sovereignty in defence, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will host a Workshop and Exhibition on Indigenisation of Critical UAV and Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Components on July 16, 2025, at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. Organised by Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) in collaboration with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), the event aims to reduce India’s reliance on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for critical components and build a strategic roadmap for complete indigenous capabilities.
The workshop comes at a crucial time, following the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions, where UAVs and C-UAS systems played a pivotal role in precision targeting, situational awareness, and force protection. The operation showcased India’s growing reliance on unmanned systems and underscored the need to accelerate domestic innovation and production in this space.
🎯 Strategic Objectives of the Workshop
The event is designed to facilitate policy dialogue, technological showcases, and strategic planning, and is expected to culminate in the release of a policy document outlining the way forward for indigenisation in the UAV and C-UAS sectors.
Key objectives include:
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Mapping of critical UAV & C-UAS components currently imported
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Identifying indigenous R&D and manufacturing opportunities
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Bridging gaps between defence services, DRDO, academia, and private industry
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Establishing timelines for self-reliance in key subsystems such as sensors, propulsion units, guidance systems, and anti-drone jammers
“Reducing foreign dependence on drone technologies is not just a strategic imperative but a national security necessity,” said a senior MoD official ahead of the event.
🛡️ High-Level Participation
The workshop will be inaugurated by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, while Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will deliver the closing remarks. The presence of top military leadership is expected to lend gravitas to the discussions and reinforce the strategic commitment to indigenisation.
Participants will include:
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Senior officials from Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force
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Scientists from DRDO and ISRO
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Representatives from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), and private defence startups
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Delegates from academic and research institutions involved in drone and AI-based technologies
🚁 Spotlight on UAVs & C-UAS: Key Technologies in Focus
During the workshop, live demonstrations and technology displays will highlight:
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Indigenous UAV platforms for surveillance, tactical strike, and logistics
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Anti-drone systems, including jamming, spoofing, and laser-based deterrence
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Next-generation AI and sensor fusion technologies
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Critical subsystems like lithium-sulphur batteries, inertial navigation systems (INS), and data links
Special emphasis will be placed on modular design, dual-use components, and export potential of indigenous systems.
🇮🇳 Aligning with Aatmanirbhar Bharat
The workshop is part of the broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which has seen steady momentum in the defence sector with rising investments, Make in India schemes, and Technology Development Fund (TDF) support.
In recent years, India has launched several indigenous UAV programs including:
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Rustom-II MALE UAV
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SWiFT UCAV demonstrator
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Nagastra loitering munition
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DRDO’s Counter-Drone System, deployed during G20 and high-profile security events
Despite progress, key bottlenecks in avionics, propulsion, electronic warfare suites, and composite materials remain reliant on imports—making this workshop a timely and vital push for full-spectrum self-reliance.
📈 Expected Outcomes
The MoD expects to publish a Strategic Policy Paper post-event, which will:
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Identify priority components for localisation
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Propose a multi-phase timeline for indigenisation
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Recommend public-private collaborative models
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Lay the groundwork for a national UAV and C-UAS technology mission
“This is not just about replacing imports, but about building a long-term ecosystem that supports R&D, manufacturing, testing, and global exports,” said a policy advisor from HQ IDS.
🔮 The Road Ahead
As UAVs become the future of asymmetric warfare, battlefield awareness, and disaster relief, India’s strategic goal is to not just achieve self-reliance, but also to position itself as a global hub for drone innovation.
The upcoming workshop on July 16 is expected to be a catalyst for actionable collaboration, bringing together the best of India’s scientific, defence, and industrial ecosystem to accelerate the UAV and anti-UAV revolution.
📌 Event Details:
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Event: Workshop on Indigenisation of UAV and C-UAS Technologies
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Date: 16 July 2025
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Venue: Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi
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Organisers: HQ IDS & CENJOWS
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Chief Guest: Gen. Anil Chauhan, CDS
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Focus: Roadmap to reduce imports and strengthen indigenous UAV/C-UAS manufacturing
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#AatmanirbharBharat #UAVIndia #CounterDrone #CUAS #MakeInIndia #IndianDefence #DroneTechnology #DefenceIndigenisation #MoDIndia #CDSIndia #MilitaryTech #IndianArmedForces #StrategicAutonomy #OperationSindoor #InnovationInDefence #DRDO #HQIDS #CENJOWS
