Bhubaneswar: Odisha greenlights ₹300 crore IG Defence drone hub initiative to establish a cutting-edge drone manufacturing facility in Ganjam district.
The state government, through its 144th State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA), has officially approved the project, expanding India’s indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production capacity.
This approval underscores Odisha’s strategic role in the nation’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Details of IG Defence Drone Hub Odisha
The Government of Odisha has cleared a ₹300 crore investment proposal by IG Defence to set up an advanced multi-drone manufacturing hub in the Ganjam district. The project was approved at the 144th meeting of the SLSWCA, chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, as part of a broader effort to strengthen the state’s manufacturing base.
Read also: India Approves 114 Rafale Jets, 6 P-8I Aircraft in ₹3.25 Lakh Crore Defence Deal
This facility will focus on producing tactical UAVs, mission-specific unmanned aerial systems, and electronic warfare-enabled drone platforms. It represents one of the largest private sector defence technology investments in Odisha to date.
Strategic Advantages: Proximity to Defence Ecosystem
One of the key benefits of placing the facility in Ganjam is its proximity to major defence research and testing infrastructure:
- DRDO laboratories
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facilities
- Ordnance Factory network
- AD Gopalpur test range
This strategic location will help IG Defence integrate R&D, rapid prototyping, and testing operations efficiently — reducing production time and costs while accelerating delivery timelines for critical defence systems.
IG Defence: India’s Indigenous Drone Technology Leader
IG Defence, formerly known as IG Drones, is one of India’s leading defence technology firms specializing in unmanned systems tailored for real operational environments. Its platforms include tactical drones, counter-drone technologies, and FPV kamikaze drones, several of which have been inducted by the Indian Army and Indian Navy after successful deployment during operations such as Operation Sindoor.
The company has also secured orders for over 5,000 FPV kamikaze striker drones from multiple defence forces, showcasing operational confidence in its products.
IG Defence Drone Hub Odisha: Boosting ‘Make in India’
The drone manufacturing hub aligns with the central government’s push for:
- Make in India
- Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India)
By enabling large-scale indigenous production of UAVs and related technologies, the facility supports reduced import dependence and increased domestic capability in defence manufacturing. It also positions India as a potential exporter of advanced unmanned systems to friendly partner nations, subject to regulatory clearances.
Read also: Big Boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat: Odisha Clears ₹17,250 Crore Defence-Aero Mega Hub
