DRONES

Published on 17 Feb 2025

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in India

UAVs have become integral to India's defence and various other sectors. Initially adopted from Israel in the 1990s, UAVs have evolved significantly and are now widely used for military, surveillance, and civilian purposes. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) oversees UAV operations in India, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Draft Drone Rules, 2021

To streamline and modernize UAV regulations, promoting ease of operation and fostering technological advancement.

✔     Digital Sky Platform: Centralized online system for approvals, minimizing bureaucracy.

✔     Approval Streamlining: Reduction in certification requirements and simplification of fee structures.

✔     Airspace Management: Interactive airspace map with green, yellow, and red zones; NPNT (No Permission, No Take-off) system.

✔     Reduced Airport Perimeter: Relaxed flight restrictions near airports; no permissions required up to 400 feet in green zones.

✔     Pilot License Exemption: No licenses are needed for micro drones used non-commercially; foreign-owned companies face no operational restrictions.

✔     Drone Corridors: Establishment of dedicated corridors for cargo delivery.

✔     Safety Measures: Mandatory real-time tracking and geo-fencing features

Applications of Drone Technology

✔     Defence: Surveillance, reconnaissance, combat deployment, and counter-drone operations.

●       Example: The Indian Army uses Searcher Mk II and Heron UAVs for surveillance along the Line of Control (LoC).

✔     Healthcare Delivery: Vaccine delivery to remote areas, improving healthcare accessibility.

●       Example: The Telangana government collaborates with Redwing Labs to use drones for delivering vaccines to remote areas

✔     Agriculture: Micronutrient spraying, crop surveys, and productivity enhancement.

●       Example: Praxair India employs drones like the DJI Agras series for spraying micronutrients and conducting crop health surveys.

✔     Conservation: Anti-poaching efforts, wildlife monitoring, and pollution assessment.

●       Example: Drones such as the DJI Mavic are used in Kaziranga National Park for anti-poaching efforts

✔     Enforcement: Support for law enforcement and hazardous situation management.

●       Example: The Delhi Police deploys DJI Phantom drones to manage large crowds

Challenges in Drone Management

✔     Operational Framework: Need for clear responsibility between military and civilian agencies.

✔     Financial Constraints: Securing funding for counter-drone mechanisms.

✔     Identification and Discrimination: Developing strategies to distinguish drones from birds and ensuring timely warnings.

✔     Accessibility and Anonymity: Addressing the widespread availability of drones and potential malicious use.

✔     Threat of Swarm Drones: Handling multiple drones overwhelming detection systems.

✔     Stealth Technology: Enhancing detection capabilities against stealth-equipped drones.

Way Forward

✔     Regulatory Improvements: Further refine drone regulations to balance innovation with security concerns.

●       Example: India's Draft Drone Rules, 2021 aim to streamline regulations

✔     Enhanced Countermeasures: Develop and deploy advanced counter-drone systems to address evolving threats.

●       Example: The DRDO's Anti-Drone System under development seeks to deploy advanced counter-drone technologies to neutralize unauthorized or hostile UAVs.

✔     Investment in Technology: Increase funding for research and development of UAV and stealth technologies.

✔     International Collaboration: Foster global partnerships to share best practices and technological advancements.

●       Example: India-Russia partnership in developing the BrahMos cruise missile and UAV technologies.

✔     Public Awareness: Educate stakeholders on safe and responsible drone use to mitigate risks and enhance benefits.

●       Example: The Ministry of Civil Aviation's public campaigns on responsible drone use and safety protocols

Tags:
Security

Keywords:
Drones UAV Digital Sky Platform Anti-Drone System Draft Drone Rules 2021

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Internal Security