- Inaugural event sees enthusiastic participation from Bharat Drone Association members
CHENNAI, India – June 13, 2025: Shri Kamlesh Paswan, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Rural Development, inaugurated Garuda Aerospace’s state-of-the-art Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility in Chennai. The Minister also officially launched 300 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) across India and flagged off the DGCA-approved ‘Train the Trainer’ (TTT) drone skilling program by Garuda Aerospace. The event was marked by wide participation from members of the Bharat Drone Association (BDA) and included an impressive live drone demonstration by skilled Drone Didis, highlighting the transformative impact of drone technology on rural livelihoods and women empowerment.
India’s First Agri-Drone Indigenization Hub
Spanning 35,000 sq. ft., the new facility is India’s first dedicated center for indigenous design, manufacturing, and testing of advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The facility significantly expands Garuda Aerospace’s existing manufacturing capabilities and plays a pivotal role in strengthening the country’s drone ecosystem. It is geared to locally manufacture 7 drone subsystems and 33 components, in alignment with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
Centres of Excellence for Employment and Innovation
The 300 Centres of Excellence will act as drone service hubs, providing after-sales support, training, and employment opportunities for aspiring drone pilots. Set up in collaboration with academic institutions and industry partners, these centers will promote innovation, research, and skill development in rural and urban regions alike.
‘Train the Trainer’ Program for Drone Education
Garuda’s flagship Train the Trainer (TTT) program, approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), aims to build a network of certified drone educators across India. The program offers in-depth, hands-on training on drone operations, safety protocols, and UAS maintenance, combined with modules on effective teaching methodologies to ensure quality knowledge transfer.
Minister’s Statement
Speaking at the event, Hon’ble Minister Shri Kamlesh Paswan said:
“I’ve known Agnishwar for five years as a younger brother, but today I was truly amazed to witness his leadership as CEO of Garuda Aerospace. Generating employment for over 140 people and creating a Made-in-India ecosystem is a significant contribution to Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi ji’s vision of youth empowerment and self-reliance. I was particularly touched to see women confidently flying drones under the Drone Didi initiative. My heartfelt congratulations to the entire team for this transformative work.”
Garuda CEO’s Vision
Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, expressed his gratitude to the Minister and shared:
“Today marks three major milestones – the launch of our Indigenous Agri-Drone Facility, the rollout of 300 CoEs, and the TTT drone skilling program. In 2022, our Hon’ble Prime Minister envisioned manufacturing 1 lakh drones by 2026. We’ve already delivered 4,000 and are confident of meeting the target in the next two years. Our facility now manufactures over 33 components and 7 subsystems, firmly supporting the vision of a self-reliant India.”
He added that the company’s growing global presence and commitment to local innovation have made it one of India’s most promising drone tech startups.
Hon’ble Minister Applauds Scale and Innovation
The Minister also lauded Garuda’s ability to unite component manufacturers through the Bharat Drone Association and highlighted the scale of drone production—with 2,000 Agri-Drones showcased at the new facility—an unprecedented feat. He affirmed that such initiatives are essential to realizing Prime Minister Modi ji’s vision of India as a Global Drone Hub.
Empowering Rural India and Women Through Drone Technology
Garuda Aerospace has been a major contributor to government initiatives such as the Namo Drone Didi, SMAM subsidy, and PLI schemes. Having already supplied 450 out of 500 drones under the Namo Drone Didi initiative, the company is now gearing up to deliver an additional 2,000 units. Garuda is also the first Indian drone company to receive dual DGCA certifications for both manufacturing and training.
With its integrated approach—combining indigenization, skill development, and innovation through 300 CoEs—Garuda Aerospace is making drone technology more accessible, affordable, and sustainable, particularly in the agriculture sector.
About Garuda Aerospace
Founded in 2015, Garuda Aerospace is India’s leading drone tech startup, driving innovation in Precision Agri-Tech and Industry 4.0 sectors. With over 400 drones and 500 pilots operating across 84 cities, Garuda has served 750+ clients including Tata, Adani, Reliance, Flipkart, L&T, Survey of India, and many others. The company designs and manufactures 30 types of drones and offers 50 drone-related services.
Backed by cricket legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni as brand ambassador and investor, Garuda Aerospace has partnered with global players such as Lockheed Martin, Cognizant, and Elbit Systems. It is the first company in India to receive both DGCA Type Certification and Remote Pilot Training Organisation approval.
With a mission to impact 1 billion lives through affordable drone solutions, Garuda continues to lead the way in creating a robust, future-ready drone ecosystem in India and beyond.
For more information, visit: www.garudaaerospace.com
