Rajasthan has quietly pushed ahead with a major step to expand domestic drone production by inviting UAV Tech, a Hyderabad-based defence drone maker, to set up an industrial and development hub in the state. The project envisions a multi-facility complex with manufacturing and assembly lines, advanced R&D labs, a flight testing airstrip, and a skill development academy for UAV pilots and technicians. The plan, disclosed by UAV Tech founder Moukthik Kiran Reddy, includes a Rs 300 crore capital expenditure and leverages the company’s existing facility in Kattedan. The initiative signals a broader push to build a self-reliant drone supply chain to serve defence, logistics and civilian applications.

According to Deccan Chronicle, UAV Tech founder Moukthik Kiran Reddy outlined that the company has developed striker drones, target drones and mobile drones, designed for defence, logistics, surveillance and emergency response. The drones are engineered for vertical lift or short-runway operations, and rely on sophisticated algorithms to track and engage targets. The Rajasthan project will build on the company’s existing facility in Kattedan with a capital expenditure of Rs 300 crore, expanding capabilities across the product line.

In the interview with Deccan Chronicle, Reddy emphasized that the initiative will drive both B2B and B2G sales, positioning UAV Tech at the center of India’s push for a self-reliant drone manufacturing ecosystem. He noted that the new hub will host manufacturing, assembly, advanced R&D, flight testing and a pilot training academy, enabling faster incubation from concept to field deployment. This aligns with a broader shift in India’s defence procurement strategy toward domestic suppliers and private participation, a trend the government has accelerated in recent years.

Strategic significance for India’s defence supply chain

The Rajasthan hub is framed as a bridge between R&D and real-world deployment, enabling faster iteration cycles for high-end unmanned systems. By concentrating manufacturing, testing and pilot training in a single campus, UAV Tech can shorten lead times from design to deployment, a critical factor as defence procurement intensifies. In this context, the project underlines how Indian drone manufacturing is evolving from prototype demos to scalable production, a shift that could reshape global supply chains in the sector.

What this means for private players and workforce

For Indian drone manufacturing, expanding industrial bases in states like Rajasthan creates opportunities for skilled jobs, supplier ecosystems and tiered collaborations with government agencies. UAV Tech’s model — combining B2B and B2G channels — highlights a path for startups and established manufacturers to win defence work while aligning with Make in India goals. As this sector grows, so does the need for training, certification and safety standards to ensure responsible use of unmanned systems.

Conclusion

The Rajasthan facility marks a meaningful step in India’s quest to domesticate more of its drone supply chain. If pursued with disciplined governance, workforce development, and rigorous testing protocols, the initiative could accelerate the emergence of a self-reliant, innovation-driven drone economy in the country.