Him Drone-a-thon’ programme

In News

• Collaboration
  • The Indian Army in collaboration with the Drone Federation of India has launched the ‘Him Drone-a-thon’ programme.
• Aim:
  • Program is aimed to catalyse and provide focused opportunities to the Indian drone ecosystem to develop path-breaking drone capabilities for meeting requirements of frontline troops.
  • The ‘Him Drone-a-thon’ programme is a pan India sustained connection between all stakeholders including industry, academia, software developers and drone product manufacturers. 
• Significance:
  • The Indian Army said this initiative is in line with Make in India in defence manufacturing.
  • The Indian Army’s support to the indigenous drone ecosystem is based on the principle that ‘good available indigenously’ is better than the ‘best available globally’.
  • The indigenous industry has adequate expertise to develop world class products in this field.
  • India has largely prohibited import of drones and import of drone components are exempted to encourage domestic drone manufacturing. It is to incentivise domestic drone manufacturers and boost investments.  

Source: PIB