Thales and Garuda Aerospace have formalized a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the development of India’s drone ecosystem. The collaboration, starting in August 2024, will focus on creating technological solutions for safe drone operations and expanding drone-based applications.
Thales will contribute its expertise in unmanned traffic management (UTM) systems, UAV detection technologies, and system integration. The company has a track record of working with aviation authorities to provide solutions like flight authorization systems, geo-awareness tools, and drone tracking capabilities.
Garuda Aerospace, a UAV manufacturer established in 2015, operates a fleet of over 2,500 drones and employs 4,000 pilots across 400 districts in India. The company develops drones for a variety of sectors, including defense and agriculture.
Ashish Saraf of Thales in India stated that the collaboration leverages Thales’ global experience to strengthen India’s drone industry. Agnishwar Jayaprakash, CEO of Garuda Aerospace, noted the partnership’s potential to drive innovation and growth in the sector.
This initiative is expected to contribute to India’s efforts to expand its drone capabilities and establish itself as a global hub for drone technology.