Thales and Garuda Aerospace Join Forces to Advance India’s Drone Industry
A France-based multinational company, Thales, and Garuda Aerospace form a strategic partnership, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), that aims to build a drone ecosystem in India. Under this new MoU, which will take effect in August 2024, Thales will provide its expertise in Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) detection, and system integration. In return, Garuda Aerospace will contribute its extensive knowledge of UAV manufacturing and its strong presence in the Indian market.
Garuda Aerospace, established in 2015, is considered a key player in India’s drone sector, with a fleet of over 2,500 drones and 4,000 pilots. The company is known for its advanced UAV solutions and its role in precision agriculture. Thales, known globally for its aerospace innovations, will offer radar, sensors, and UTM systems. This partnership is expected to support India’s goal of becoming a leading global drone hub by 2030 and aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative.
Ashish Saraf, VP and Country Director, Thales India, highlighted the alignment of this collaboration with the country’s growth ambitions. He noted that the partnership would leverage the company’s global experience to improve India’s drone capabilities. Meanwhile, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO, Garuda Aerospace, expressed enthusiasm about combining its extensive fleet and technology with Thales’ UTM solutions to set the pace for significant advancements in the sector.