New Delhi: ideaForge ₹151 crore government funding has received a major boost after the Indian drone company secured ₹151 crore in government financing to develop its heavy-lift Yeti logistics drone. The funding will help build an indigenous autonomous drone designed to deliver supplies to soldiers operating in high-altitude and remote regions, strengthening India’s defence logistics and self-reliance in strategic technologies.
ideaForge Yeti Military Logistics Drone: Company Receives ₹151 Crore Under Government’s RDI Scheme
ideaForge Technology Ltd. has been selected for ₹151 crore long-term financing under the Government of India’s Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.
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The RDI Scheme aims to promote deep-tech innovation by supporting research in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, space and advanced manufacturing. The scheme has a total corpus of ₹1 lakh crore. According to reports, ideaForge is among the first companies to receive funding under the programme.
What Is the ideaForge Yeti Military Logistics Drone
The Yeti is a next-generation heavy-lift unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed specifically for military logistics. The drone is designed to operate autonomously in some of the world’s toughest environments, including the Himalayan region, where road access is often difficult or impossible. Its key capabilities include:
- Payload capacity of up to 200 kg
- Operational range of up to 200 km
- Day and night autonomous missions
- Take-off and landing from small or semi-prepared areas
- Operations at altitudes of up to 6,000 metres
- Reliable performance in snow, extreme cold, deserts and humid coastal regions
Why the ideaForge Yeti Military Logistics Drone Is Important
Supplying food, ammunition, medicines and equipment to soldiers deployed in high-altitude border areas remains one of the Indian Army’s biggest logistical challenges. The Yeti drone is expected to reduce dependence on road convoys and manned aircraft by delivering supplies directly to remote military posts.
It can also support disaster relief, emergency response, offshore logistics and infrastructure missions in inaccessible locations.
Funding Will Accelerate Indigenous Drone Development
The ₹151 crore financing will be used for the design, development, testing and production of the Yeti platform. The funding is structured as long-term financing under the RDI Scheme, which supports high-risk and high-impact research projects in strategic technologies.
CEO Highlights India’s Growing Drone Capabilities
ideaForge CEO Ankit Mehta said the Yeti project represents a major step in India’s autonomous aviation capabilities. He noted that India’s armed forces regularly face supply challenges in remote mountainous regions, and autonomous logistics drones can provide a faster, safer and more reliable solution for these missions.
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