The agricultural drone market in India is set to witness a significant boost this year, with Chennai-based Murugappa Group’s venture, Dhaksha Unmanned Systems (Dhaksha), aiming to capture a substantial share of the industry sales. With a target of selling 3,500 drones out of a total of 10,000 units expected to be sold this year, Dhaksha is poised for growth in the burgeoning drone market.
Dhaksha, in which Coromandel International holds a majority stake, is strategically positioned to capitalize on the government’s initiatives like the Namo Drone Didi project. This project, along with other regulatory developments, is expected to drive the growth of the drone industry in India. By 2030, the country’s drone market is projected to reach a size of around $3 billion, a significant leap from the current valuation of Rs 800-900 crore.
The company’s CEO, Ramanathan Narayanan, highlighted the potential for growth in the Indian drone market, citing estimates that suggest a requirement of around 300,000 drones to cover 70 percent of the country’s farm area. Additionally, the demand for trained drone pilots is expected to rise, with an estimated need for close to 600,000 pilots to operate the drones effectively.
One of the key drivers of industry growth is the impending regulatory framework for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations. This policy, along with increasing demand from sectors like agriculture and defense, is expected to propel the industry towards the $3 billion mark by 2030. Dhaksha, with its comprehensive range of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) technology solutions, is well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities.
The company’s manufacturing facility in Sholavaram near Chennai has the capacity to produce a significant number of drones, with the flexibility to scale production based on demand. With an order book size of around 3,500 drones for the agriculture sector and an additional 500-600 units for non-agricultural applications, Dhaksha is poised for substantial revenue growth this year.
As the market evolves, Dhaksha aims to reduce its import dependency for manufacturing components like electronic parts and payloads. By 2026, the company plans to bring down its import reliance from 30-35 percent to around 10 percent, further solidifying its position in the Indian drone market.
Overall, Dhaksha’s ambitious sales targets, coupled with the favorable regulatory environment and growing demand for drone technology in India, position the company for significant growth in the coming years. With a strong focus on innovation and quality, Dhaksha is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the agricultural drone market in India.