India's drone policies have benefitted BonV Aero: Satyabrata Satapathy

  • Interviews
  • Feb 28,25
As a 100% indigenous drone manufacturer, BonV Aero directly contributes to India's self-reliance in aerial mobility. Our facility is fully dedicated to drone production, and we actively support national defence through partnerships with the Indian Army, says Satyabrata Satapathy, Co Founder, BonV Aero in an interview with Sanskriti Ramachandran.
India's drone policies have benefitted BonV Aero: Satyabrata Satapathy

Please tell us about your contributions to the A&D sector.
BonV Aero is pioneering aerial logistics solutions with high-payload VTOL drone platforms for defence and disaster response. We have deployed multi-million-dollar logistics drones for the Indian Army, supporting high-altitude operations. Our 30 kg payload drone set a world record at 19,000 ft altitude, demonstrating exceptional performance in extreme conditions.

Our key contributions include supplying drones to the Indian Army. We're developing next-generation solutions ranging from 15-40 kg payload drones (currently in sales) to a 100 kg medevac drone (expected within two years) and a 500 kg STOL drone (targeted in three years). Notable recognitions include selection by Indian Army's Technology Board for a $1M grant and winning the Boeing Build Challenge 2023.

What advancements have been made in terms of drone manufacturing and how do you keep up with industry trends?
BonV Aero drives cutting-edge advancements through manufacturing and rigorous R&D. Our facility ensures precision production and scalability. We've developed multi-utility payloads for logistics, para-dropping, emergency evacuation, and surveillance, with pilotless autonomous operation making our drones easy to deploy.

We stay ahead in the industry with over $3 million in R&D investment, partnerships with 15+ global tech firms leveraging expertise in AI, avionics, and material science, and collaboration with DRDO, HAL, and CSIR. Our military-grade reliability comes from stringent testing for extreme weather and operational resilience often in partnership with the Army in forward posts.

What are the most critical challenges in drone manufacturing and how does your company address them?
The key challenges in drone manufacturing include component supply chain dependencies, regulatory approvals, and reliability in extreme conditions. BonV Aero addresses these through a strong localisation strategy, manufacturing drones in India to reduce reliance on imported components. Our advanced manufacturing and testing protocols ensure drones undergo rigorous evaluation backed by comprehensive reliability reports and certified quality standards. Our scaling production approach employs modular design for customisable payload integration while expanding to international markets to diversify supply chain risks.

How do government policies impact your manufacturing and R&D strategies?
India's progressive drone policies have significantly influenced BonV Aero's growth. The PLI Scheme and Make in India initiatives provide incentives for domestic drone production, helping us scale faster. As an approved supplier to the Indian Army, we align our development with the defence modernisation roadmap. Compliance with India's Drone Rules 2021 has streamlined permissions for testing and deployment. We continuously align our R&D with government-backed programs, ensuring compliance and future-ready technology.

Can you elaborate on the integration of drone technology with existing defence systems?
BonV Aero's heavy-lift drones seamlessly integrate into military logistics and combat support systems. Our drones feature interoperability with existing command and control networks, providing real-time operational intelligence. Advanced AI-based navigation allows GPS-denied operation for tactical missions. Our customisable payloads support surveillance and ISR, cargo resupply, emergency evacuation, and disaster relief with medical supply delivery. BonV Aero drones are designed for all-weather operations, functioning effectively in extreme climates from the Himalayan Region to coastal zones.

How is your company contributing to India's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India initiative, and Viksit Bharat 2047?
As a 100% indigenous drone manufacturer, BonV Aero directly contributes to India's self-reliance in aerial mobility. Our facility is fully dedicated to drone production, and we actively support national defence through partnerships with the Indian Army. We are building capacity through training drone pilots and engineers in partnership with local and national education bodies to create a robust talent pipeline while expanding local supplier networks to boost domestic industry. Our global expansion strategy positions India as a leader in drone exports, creating an international footprint for Indian-made UAVs.

What are your plans for investment, facility expansion, and exports?
BonV Aero is on a high-growth trajectory with strategic investments planned in technology, infrastructure, and international markets. We are developing advanced high-payload drone systems, including a 40 kg high altitude drone launching next year, a 100 kg medevac drone within two years, and a 500 kg STOL drone for long-range logistics in three years. We are increasing manufacturing capacity to meet growing domestic and international defence demands while expanding international sales by targeting Asian, Middle Eastern, US and European markets. We're currently in discussions with global defence agencies for UAV supply.

What is your future outlook for India's defence sector?
India's defence sector is rapidly advancing toward self-reliance and modernisation, with drones playing a pivotal role. Key trends include rising military UAV adoption for border surveillance, logistics, and tactical operations; AI-enabled warfare with autonomous UAV swarms enhancing battlefield strategy; growing private sector involvement with startups partnering with defence PSUs; and significant export potential as India positions itself as a global drone hub.
BonV Aero is well-positioned to lead these advancements, shaping the future of India's aerial defence capabilities.


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