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Shri Kamlesh Paswan, Hon'ble Union Minister of State for Rural Development, today inaugurated Garuda Aerospace鈥檚 Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility in Chennai. The minister also flagged off 300 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and launched the DGCA-approved Train the Trainer (TTT) drone skilling programme in the presence of Bharat Drone Association members and Drone Didis, who gave a live demonstration of agri-drone operations. 

Spread across 35,000 sq ft, the Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility is the first of its kind in India, aimed at the design, manufacturing, and testing of advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). With a focus on self-reliance, the facility will locally manufacture 7 subsystems and 33 parts, in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. 

The 300 CoEs, set up in collaboration with academic and industry partners, will provide after-sales support and training, creating employment and fostering innovation across the drone ecosystem. These centres are part of Garuda鈥檚 broader aim to develop a skilled drone workforce across India. 

The DGCA-approved Train the Trainer (TTT) programme will certify professionals to become drone instructors. It provides hands-on training in UAS operations, safety protocols, and pedagogy, ensuring effective skill transfer in compliance with DGCA norms. 

At the event, Shri Kamlesh Paswan said, 鈥淲hat touched me most was seeing women, who once never stepped out of their homes, now confidently flying drones thanks to the visionary Drone Didi initiative.鈥� He praised the indigenisation effort and applauded Garuda鈥檚 youth-led leadership in advancing Prime Minister Modi鈥檚 vision for entrepreneurship and rural empowerment. 

Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO, Garuda Aerospace, said, 鈥淥ur facility is equipped to manufacture 33 parts and 7 subsystems, reinforcing our self-reliance. We aim to meet the target of 1 lakh Made-in-India drones by 2026.鈥� 

Garuda Aerospace, backed by government schemes such as Namo Drone Didi, SMAM subsidy, and the PLI scheme, has already delivered 4,000 drones and plans to supply 2,000 more under ongoing government initiatives. It is also the first Indian drone firm to hold dual DGCA certifications for manufacturing and training. 

With its integrated approach鈥攕panning manufacturing, skilling, and research鈥擥aruda Aerospace is building a future-ready, sustainable, and globally competitive drone ecosystem rooted in innovation and inclusivity.