If all things go as per Google’s plan, the tech giant will export the drones it makes in India to countries like the US and Australia.
Google To Manufacture Drones In Tamil Nadu
If all things go as per Google’s plan, the tech giant will export the drones it makes in India to countries like the US and Australia. Alphabet’s subsidiary, Wing LLC, which specialises in drone delivery services, will be spearheading the manufacturing operations in Tamil Nadu.
Google, through its parent company Alphabet, is considering setting up its drone manufacturing operations in Tamil Nadu, India, as part of its expansion plans into the Indian market. The tech giant is reportedly in discussions with the Tamil Nadu government to establish production facilities for drones. If things go as per Google’s plan, the tech giant will export the drones it makes in India to countries like the US and Australia.
The move aligns with Google’s broader strategy to diversify its manufacturing footprint and leverage India’s skilled workforce and conducive business environment.
This underscores Google’s commitment to local manufacturing and tapping into India’s growing consumer market.
Wing has already established itself as a key player in the drone delivery space, offering its services to businesses across the US, Europe, and Australia.
What will it take for India’s drone industry to fly higher?
With the setting up of drone assembly lines in Tamil Nadu, Wing aims to solidify its global operations and cater to the increasing demand for autonomous delivery solutions in India. India aspiring to be the leader of Industry Revolution 4.0 has set the target of being a major global hub for drones by 2030 which will boost the country’s GDP by 1-1.5 percent while adding at least five lakh jobs in the coming years. The annual sales turnover of the Indian drone manufacturing industry may grow from approximately Rs 60 crore in 2020-21 to approximately Rs 900 crore by 2024-25, said Minister of State of Civil Aviation Gen. VK Singh (Retd.).
The Ministry of Civil Aviation identified five key pillars that will allow India to be a drone hub in the next few years: Ease of Doing Business (Drone Rules 2021), financial incentives (PLI scheme), government as market maker (procurement by government), export liberalisation and domestic industry promotion (Import prohibition).
What are the challenges India’s drone market faces?
The biggest challenge that India faces is the lack of a component ecosystem for drones due to which the domestic manufacturers have to depend on imported materials. The government’s import ban aimed at promoting indigenous drone manufacturing excluded components from the restriction.
