India's secret weapon for Defence Sovereignty Through AI and Zero-China Tech

For the first time, we've witnessed AI-powered combat systems and drone warfare come alive like never before during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. It redefined how modern war is fought and won. In a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape where unmanned aerial systems are redefining modern defence strategies, IG Drones is one of India's most formidable players in indigenous defence technology. From powering Operation Sindoor with real-time intelligence, VTOL deployments, and FPV Kamikaze drones to pioneering India's first patented defence drone simulator, the company is proving that Aatmanirbhar Bharat is not just a vision but a tactical reality.

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Major General Ramesh Padhi (retd), Senior VP, IG Drones

As global defence tech giants race ahead with autonomous systems and AI-powered warfare, IG Drones is positioning India on the map with zero-China, 100% Made-in-India platforms that integrate advanced ISR, terrain intelligence, and autonomous response capabilities.

In this exclusive interview, Major General (retd.) Ramesh Padhi, Senior VP of IG Drones, shares his thoughts on the strategic lessons learned from Operation Sindoor, the regulatory shifts that have transformed India's drone ecosystem, and the company's vision to shape India as a global drone superpower by 2030. Not just adaptive AI systems for tactical reconnaissance, but innovations like the SABUJA drone's AI-driven reforestation missions, the company is building technologies that serve both defence and ecological imperatives.

IG Drones played a critical role in Operation Sindoor with real-time visuals and VTOL deployments. What are the biggest technical or strategic learnings from this mission? How transformative was the 2021-23 regulatory shift in enabling the rapid deployment of such systems?

Operation Sindoor marked a defining moment in India's modern military landscape, validating the critical role of indigenous drone technology in high-stakes combat scenarios. IG Drones' advanced FPV, Kamikaze, VTOL, and surveillance drones were tactically deployed for precision strikes, live ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), and real-time terrain intelligence. The systems empowered Indian forces with situational awareness and autonomous response capabilities in difficult operational theatres.

This mission did more than prove our operational readiness. It highlighted the indispensable value of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence and the importance of a