Chennai's Kothari Industrial Corporation expands drone business, targets agriculture

  • Industry News
  • Oct 18,23
KICL intends to establish a drone manufacturing unit to bolster its fleet, aiming for a total of over 100 drones, KICL intends to establish a drone manufacturing unit to bolster its fleet, aiming for a total of over 100 drones.
Chennai's Kothari Industrial Corporation expands drone business, targets agriculture

Chennai-based Kothari Industrial Corporation Ltd (KICL), a member of the DC Kothari Group, is gearing up for a substantial expansion in its drone business, allocating an investment of over Rs 150 crore in the coming years.

Having recently entered the agriculture drones sector with a specialised fleet designed for nano-urea spraying, the company has set up a dedicated drone division. KICL intends to establish a drone manufacturing unit to bolster its fleet, aiming for a total of over 100 drones. While specific details of the production plan are still in development, the company anticipates production readiness by the next year, according to an official statement.

KICL is focused on introducing drones that are entirely conceptualised, developed, and produced in-house. The company’s recent milestone includes the inauguration of the Kothari Drone Station for the Chennai City Police, showcasing their proficiency in drone applications for crime prevention, search and rescue operations, traffic management, and disaster response, as highlighted by Jinnah Rafiq Ahmed, Managing Director of KICL.

Inspired by their expertise in drone technology, KICL is venturing into agricultural domains. Their introduction of nano-urea in farming processes holds significant promise. Nano-urea efficiently addresses crop nitrogen requirements, enhancing leaf photosynthesis and root biomass. Drones enable precise and efficient nutrient distribution, leading to higher crop yields and reduced environmental impact.

KICL is currently in the process of obtaining a type certificate for their drone model and is seeking approval for a Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) to nurture drone skills in rural Tamil Nadu. Additionally, KICL has ambitious plans to expand its drone services to sectors like mining, urban mapping, ports, and waterways.

In the context of drone registrations, Tamil Nadu ranks fifth in the country, following Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The number of registered drones in Tamil Nadu saw a notable increase, rising from 10 in 2021 to 328 in 2022, thanks to the implementation of the Centre’s drone policy. Nationwide, over 5,300 drones were registered as of December last year, signaling the growing prevalence of drone technology in various sectors.

Source: Business Line

Related Stories

Auto & Auto Components
JML expands Chennai plant to meet growing demand

JML expands Chennai plant to meet growing demand

More than 60,000 square feet of facility space has been built and made operational in the first phase in addition to its existing 100,000 square feet facility.

Read more
Aerospace Defence
Karman Drones and TCL collaborate on UAV solutions development

Karman Drones and TCL collaborate on UAV solutions development

This initiative will bolster India's defence manufacturing sector, aligning with the country’s 'Make in India' policy.

Read more
Railways
BEML submits lowest bid for 70 driverless trains for Chennai Metro Phase II

BEML submits lowest bid for 70 driverless trains for Chennai Metro Phase II

The contract is valued at approximately Rs 36 billion, with the trains likely to be produced in Bengaluru.

Read more

Related Products

Troop Comforts revolutionises military gear with indigenous innovations

Aerospace & Defence

Troop Comforts Ltd (TCL), a state-owned defence corporation, has recently received a request for proposal (RFP) from the Northern Command of the Indian Army for its indigenously developed military gea Read more

Request a Quote

Hi There!

Now get regular updates from IPF Magazine on WhatsApp!

Click on link below, message us with a simple hi, and SAVE our number

You will have subscribed to our Industrial News on Whatsapp! Enjoy

+91 84228 74016