Odisha-based drone maker IG Drones bagged a major contract with the Indian Army to supply indigenously developed VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) and FPV (First-Person View) drones to the force.
As the contract comes amid concerns about the security of foreign-made drones, the company clarified that its products do not have any Chinese components.
According to the company, VTOL systems are designed for operations in extreme environments like mountainous regions and urban conflict zones, offering unparalleled flexibility by enabling vertical take-off and landing in areas where runways are unavailable.
FPV drones enable precise intelligence gathering by bringing a real-time, first-person perspective to tactical reconnaissance.
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"The decision to prioritise domestically developed drone technology comes at a time when the Indian Army faces mounting security threats along international borders," a statement from IG Drones read.
"Recent incidents, such as the hijacking of an Indian Army drone near the Pakistan border, have underscored the urgent need for reliable, indigenously manufactured platforms free from Chinese-origin components, which could compromise national security," it further said.
The company said its commitment to excluding Chinese components from its products to address the critical national security concerns.
Founder and CEO of IG Drones Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya said the contract reflects the Army's trust in the company's ability to deliver secure world-class drone systems.
According to Major General R.C. Padhi, senior vice-president, IG Drones, these drones will play a major role in ensuring reliable surveillance, precise intelligence gathering and better border security.