New Delhi, Jan 31 (UNI) Responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of India’s drone manufacturing ecosystem, senior BJP leader and national spokesperson Tuhin A. Sinha visited an indigenous drone manufacturing unit on the outskirts of Delhi to assess the country’s domestic capabilities.
The visit aimed to address allegations by the Opposition questioning the technological advancement and production network of Indian drones. During the tour of the facility, operated by Parasher Future Defense Technologies, Sinha was shown a range of drones designed and built in India, including FPV (First-Person View) Kamikaze drones, logistic delivery drones, and surveillance models.
Interacting with company director Nagendra Parasher, a retired Army general, Sinha examined drones that were largely built with indigenous components. Parasher stated that key elements like the flight control system, batteries, and carbon fibre frames are manufactured in-house. He emphasised that approximately 80 percent of the components for their drones are sourced domestically.
“Indian drones are not AI-powered? I don’t agree with that, not at all,” Parasher stated, directly countering one of the criticisms. He elaborated that the company is actively working on AI integration, including features for targeted human detection from aerial footage.
Addressing another point of contention, Parasher dismissed claims of a weak production network. He showcased the facility’s composite lab, where carbon fibre sheets are processed, and an assembly line with the capacity to produce multiple drones per day. He attributed this growing ecosystem to government initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and PLI (Production Linked Incentive) schemes for the defence sector.
“The accusation that we don’t make any components and don’t understand how they are made is based on complete ignorance,” Parasher remarked, expressing dismay over the criticism. He added that the indigenous industry ensures strategic security and reduces foreign dependency.
Sinha, reflecting on the demonstration, stated that the visit was an “enlightening and enriching experience” that bolstered his confidence in India’s defence manufacturing journey. He suggested that such indigenous advancements protect national interests by preventing external reliance.
The visit underscores the ongoing political debate surrounding India’s self-reliance in defence technology, with the ruling dispensation showcasing indigenous progress in response to the opposition’s scepticism.
