Thales and Garuda Aerospace Sign MoU to Develop Drone Ecosystem in India
Thales and Garuda Aerospace have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on advancing the drone ecosystem in India. The partnership focuses on developing technological solutions to ensure safe and secure drone operations while supporting the growth of drone-based applications. The agreement is set to take effect in August 2024, according to a press release from Thales.
Thales brings expertise in unmanned traffic management (UTM) systems, UAV detection technologies, and system integration to the partnership. The company works with civil aviation authorities to implement UTM capabilities such as flight authorizations, geo-awareness, and aircraft tracking.
Garuda Aerospace, established in 2015, specializes in UAV manufacturing and drone services. The company operates a fleet of over 2,500 drones with 4,000 pilots across 400 districts in India. It focuses on developing advanced drone solutions, including those for defense applications.
Ashish Saraf, Vice President and Country Director of Thales in India, emphasized the collaboration's alignment with efforts to strengthen India’s drone industry, leveraging Thales' aeronautical expertise. Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, highlighted the potential to enhance technological innovation in the drone sector through this partnership.
The MoU aims to contribute to India's growing drone industry and aligns with national efforts to position the country as a significant player in the global drone market by 2030.