The company in partnership with Indian drone maker, Aeroarc, will manufacture, deploy, and support small uncrewed aircraft systems (SUAS) for the Indian Ministry of Defence.
American drone maker, Skydio, has announced its intention to expand presence in the Indian market by introducing its commercial drone products. This decision comes after the company’s recent collaboration with Indian firm Aeroarc to produce unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for defence customers in the Indo-Pacific region.
While the company typically enters new markets with its defence products, it plans to eventually branch out into non-military and non-government sectors. This expansion aims to cater to commercial use cases. Skydio currently has an R&D centre in Bengaluru, marking its initial foray into the Indian market, last year.
Skydio currently focuses on three main market segments: government/defence, public safety, and the inspection of critical infrastructure. The partnership with Aeroarc is centered on developing, manufacturing, deploying, and supporting small uncrewed aircraft systems (SUAS) for the Indian Ministry of Defense and other global defence customers in the Indo-Pacific region.
Skydio CEO & co-founder Adam Bry expressed excitement for the continued investment in India and partnership with Aeroarc on critical, dual-use products and capabilities that help allied nations in the Indo-Pacific region deter conflict and protect troops. “We believe autonomous drone technology is central to the future of India’s defence innovation strategy,” he said.
Skydio is a well established drone manufacturer. It is the first US drone manufacturer to exceed $1 billion in value. The company recently unveiled its AI powered drone Skydio X10. Skydio’s expansion into the Indian commercial drone market signifies a significant step towards establishing India as a global hub for advanced defence technology.
Established in 2018, Aeroarc has quickly become a prominent player in the Indian Drone & Robotics industry. Headquartered in New Delhi, Aeroarc has a team of over 100 professionals working across two manufacturing facilities in India. The company focuses on dual-use technology and caters to government agencies and various enterprise sectors.
