Boosting ‘self- and shelf’-reliance: Indian Army teams up with domestic intelligence to boost drone power, cut imports

515 Army Base Workshop (515 ABW), Bengaluru, one of the eight Army Base Workshops of the Indian Army, has signed three significant MoUs on behalf of Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army)/Directorate-General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (DG EME)/HQ Base Workshop Group.

These new strategic partnerships build upon earlier successful collaborations with premier institutions and startups, and mark an important step towards modernization and self-reliance in the field of unmanned systems.

To strengthen indigenous drone manufacturing capabilities, 515 ABW signed an MoU with Nautical Wings Aerospace, a Bengaluru-based startup specializing in advanced electric propulsion systems, vertical lift solutions, BLDC motors and composite structures for UAVs.

Under this framework, Nautical Wings will provide technical expertise and hand-holding of 515 ABW technicians in integrated propulsion systems, BLDC motor integration, propeller optimization and composite fabrication techniques on as-required basis.

Additionally, 515 ABW signed an MoU with Yaanendriya Private Limited, a deep-tech startup incubated at ARTPARK, IISc Bengaluru.

This collaboration focuses on enhancing capabilities in AI-enabled Flight Control Systems (FCS), Ground Control Stations (GCS), Electronic Speed Controllers (ESC), and GNSS-based navigation systems, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign technology in autonomous platforms.

To ensure the security and resilience of these emerging technologies, a third MoU was signed with the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Gandhinagar.

This partnership establishes a structured framework for technical cooperation in drone forensics, cyber and hardware security assessment and vulnerability analysis.

NFSU will contribute its expertise to help develop robust analytical frameworks required for addressing evolving threats related to hostile drone usage, cyber compromise and hardware security risks.

Collectively, these MoUs reinforce the commitment to support national security through indigenous capability development and civil-military integration. By fostering industry handholding and inter-institutional cooperation, these initiatives will enable 515 ABW to function as a prime technical incubator for innovation projects.

Ultimately, this will support the operational preparedness of the Indian Army, ensure pace with fast-evolving technologies and align with the Government of India’s vision of strengthening technological self-reliance and enhancing Defence innovation ecosystems.