India Drone Shakti 2023

Organization of India's First Drone Power Exhibition

India Drone Shakti 2023

 

This topic is related to Current Affairs for IAS/PCS Prelims and Mains Exam General Studies Paper 3 Science and Technology

September 08, 2023

In News:

  • The first drone power exhibition will be organized in India in the coming days.

Key points:

  • Indian Air Force and Drone Federation of India (DFI), will jointly co-host Bharat Drone Shakti 2023.
  • The event will be organized at LAF airbase at Hindon (Ghaziabad) from September 25 and 26, 2023.
  • 'India Drone Shakti 2023' is an important step towards harnessing the full potential of this transformative technology for the benefit of the nation.
  • It aims to share the benefit of its rich experience in using these unmanned platforms.
  • Around 5,000 people are expected to attend the event.
  • It will host over 50 live aerial demonstrations showcasing the full potential of the Indian drone industry.
  • There will be participation from more than 75 drone start-ups and corporates along with various types of drones like survey drones, agriculture drones, fire suppression drones, tactical surveillance drones, etc.
  • This program will boost India's commitment to become a global drone hub by 2030.
  • It is noteworthy that India is increasing the use of drones in both military and civil sectors.
  • The Indian Air Force is extensively using remote piloted aircraft for intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

About Drone Federation of India (DFI):

  • Drone Federation of India (DFI) is a non-governmental, non-profit, industry-based body.
  • It promotes the creation of a secure and scalable unmanned aviation industry in India.
  • DFI engages with think tanks, industry experts, policy makers etc. to share their expertise and build a sustainable UAV industry in the country.

Initiatives of Government of India to promote Drone Technology

  • India Drone Festival 2022
  • Drone rules 2021
  • PIL scheme for drones
  • Drone Shakti Yojana
  • i-Drone

About Drone:

  • A drone is a flying robot in the form of an unmanned aircraft (UA) remotely controlled by a human.
  • All the activities of the drone depend on the system of sensors and LIDAR detectors fitted in it.

Significance of Drone Technology

  • With the help of drones, micronutrients can be sprayed in the agriculture sector.
  • Drones can also be used in surveys to identify challenges faced by farmers.
  • Drone systems can be used as weapons against terrorist attacks.
  • Drones can be integrated into the national airspace system.
  • Drones can be deployed in combat, establish communications in remote areas and be used for counter-drone solutions.
  • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed a drone-based vaccine delivery model, i-Drone. Telangana and North Eastern states have been given permission to use this drone technology to deliver vaccines to remote areas.
  • Drone technology has helped nearly half a million village residents get their property cards by mapping densely populated areas in less than a year, in the SVAMITVA scheme launched by the Government of India.
  • Drones can be used for real-time monitoring of assets and transmission lines, theft prevention, visual inspection/maintenance, construction planning and management, etc.
  • Drones can be used for anti-poaching operations, monitoring forests and wildlife, pollution assessment and collecting evidence.
  • Drones are also important for law enforcement agencies, fire and emergency services, where human intervention and health services are not safe.

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Mains Exam Question

Mention the major initiatives of the Government of India to promote the use of drone technology.