PRAYAGRAJ: In a first in the state, the Naini Aerospace engineering limited (NAeL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited under the administrative control of Ministry of Defence, would be manufacturing drones which would be able to carry the payload of around 25 kilograms and the same can be used by the farming fraternity.
Having its utility in different fields, foremost being agricultural, NAeL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a South India based company named Garuda Aerospace (GA) for collaboration in manufacturing of drones, on Saturday. The Naini based public sector unit will start manufacturing these heavy-duty drones by the end of next month.
“This unique initiative is expected to create employment and shall boost economic activities in Naini Industrial Area, which is also an education hub. This would be first drone manufacturing facility in the northern India with a potential to add tremendous value to the industries such as security & surveillance, agriculture, mapping of lands etc. to cater to the requirements within the country”, said CEO, NAeL, RR Thakur.
This partnership will increase indigenisation of imported components required for manufacturing of drones. Most of the components, which consists about 75% are presently being imported from China & other western countries, he added.
“Considering the shortage of manpower and high investment in agriculture sector, it has been envisaged to support our farmers by providing cost effective solutions to increase their productivity by using technology enabled drones, especially designed to cater day to day agricultural needs,”said Thakur.
The drone is especially designed with a take-off weight of 25.5 kgs and shall cover a radius of 500 meters with speed of 5 meter/second. The drone has spray efficiency of 1500-2550 square meter/ minutes. Naini based NAeL started its production in July 2017 and has previously hogged the limelight when it bagged the order for manufacturing loom for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and for ALH Dhruv helicopters. Later, NAeL started the assembly of structures of Dhruv helicopters. NAeL is also carrying out loom work of Cheetah, Chetak and Dornier aircrafts and Helicopters. More than 10,000 looms have been manufactured and installed in aircrafts.
Recently, a proposal for starting a course for Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) has been sent to DGCA and is likely to be started soon after getting the formal approval, informed the CEO.
Having its utility in different fields, foremost being agricultural, NAeL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a South India based company named Garuda Aerospace (GA) for collaboration in manufacturing of drones, on Saturday. The Naini based public sector unit will start manufacturing these heavy-duty drones by the end of next month.
“This unique initiative is expected to create employment and shall boost economic activities in Naini Industrial Area, which is also an education hub. This would be first drone manufacturing facility in the northern India with a potential to add tremendous value to the industries such as security & surveillance, agriculture, mapping of lands etc. to cater to the requirements within the country”, said CEO, NAeL, RR Thakur.
This partnership will increase indigenisation of imported components required for manufacturing of drones. Most of the components, which consists about 75% are presently being imported from China & other western countries, he added.
“Considering the shortage of manpower and high investment in agriculture sector, it has been envisaged to support our farmers by providing cost effective solutions to increase their productivity by using technology enabled drones, especially designed to cater day to day agricultural needs,”said Thakur.
The drone is especially designed with a take-off weight of 25.5 kgs and shall cover a radius of 500 meters with speed of 5 meter/second. The drone has spray efficiency of 1500-2550 square meter/ minutes. Naini based NAeL started its production in July 2017 and has previously hogged the limelight when it bagged the order for manufacturing loom for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and for ALH Dhruv helicopters. Later, NAeL started the assembly of structures of Dhruv helicopters. NAeL is also carrying out loom work of Cheetah, Chetak and Dornier aircrafts and Helicopters. More than 10,000 looms have been manufactured and installed in aircrafts.
Recently, a proposal for starting a course for Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) has been sent to DGCA and is likely to be started soon after getting the formal approval, informed the CEO.