EndureAir Collaborates with Defence PSUs for Advanced UAV Testing Facilities

EndureAir has teamed up with five defence public sector units (PSUs) to establish advanced testing facilities under the Ministry of Defence's DIT Scheme. These facilities, aimed at enhancing indigenous defence production and reducing imports, will be set up in the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC).

EndureAir announced on Wednesday its collaboration with five defence PSUs to establish advanced testing facilities under the Ministry of Defence's DIT Scheme.

The Ministry has formalized this collaboration through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to set up the testing facilities within Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC). The goal is to drive technological advancements and provide the necessary infrastructure to test and refine unmanned aerial systems (UAS), EndureAir stated.

Launched in May 2020 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, with a budget of Rs 400 crore, the Defence Testing Infrastructure (DTI) Scheme aims to set up these testing facilities in collaboration with private industry and government bodies to promote indigenous defence production, reduce military equipment imports, and enhance self-reliance.

One dedicated testing facility, focused on UAS, will be located at Technopark IIT Kanpur, marking a significant milestone in the drone industry and the development of indigenous defence technologies in India, according to EndureAir.

EndureAir will be the sole private firm collaborating alongside five Defence PSUs: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Bharat Electronics Ltd, Gliders India Ltd, Yantra India Ltd, and BEML.

The MoU is viewed as a crucial step to bolster self-reliance and reduce import dependency in the defence sector by enabling the certification of UAS and subsystems to meet international standards, EndureAir noted.

For EndureAir and the broader drone industry, this collaboration represents a pivotal opportunity to utilize advanced testing infrastructure to drive innovation and boost the global competitiveness of Indian-made UAVs, the company concluded.

(With inputs from agencies.)