Government Undertakes Policy Reforms To Boost Made In India Drone Exports

In a landmark reform, in the spirit of Ease of Doing Business and empowering the budding domestic drone manufacturing industry in the country, the Government has liberalised the regulations governing the export of drones.

The matter had been taken up by the Ministry of Civil Aviation with the Ministry of Commerce at the behest of industry.

These reforms aim to simplify and liberalise the export procedures for drones while ensuring appropriate controls are in place for sensitive technologies and applications.

Under the newly amended regulation, a clear distinction has been made between different types of drones and drone-related equipment. These changes issued on 23 June 2023 facilitate a more streamlined and efficient process for drone exporters.

The General Authorization for Export of Drones (GAED): Drones that do not fall into specified categories under the Special Chemicals, Organisms,

Materials, Equipment and Technologies (SCOMET) list are now subject to the General Authorization for Export of Drones (GAED) whichinclude a range equal to or less than 25 km and Payload capacity not exceeding 25 kg.

Additionally, exporters are required to maintain comprehensive records of all export documents for 5 years from the date of GAED issuance.

The amendments align with the Government of India' Make in India initiative and the goal of becoming a Global Drone Hub by 2030.

The changes support the growth of the domestic drone industry while ensuring compliance with international regulations. The reforms aim to facilitate drone exports, foster a favourable environment for the drone industry, and position India as a global leader in drone technology.

The reform balances the need to boost domestic manufacture and export of drones while at the same time abiding by our commitment to uphold national security and foreign policy considerations.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation encourages all stakeholders, including drone manufacturers, exporters, and technology developers, to take advantage of the revised export policy and actively contribute to shaping the future of the drone industry in India.