Latest news with #MinistryOfCivilAviation
Entrepreneur
05-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Centre Plans INR 2,000 Crore Incentive Scheme to Boost Domestic Drone Manufacturing
The new incentive programme is seen as an attempt to not only strengthen national security but also foster a robust domestic industry capable of serving both civilian and defence sectors. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. The Indian government is preparing to roll out a INR 2,000 crore ($234 million) incentive programme aimed at strengthening the country's domestic drone manufacturing ecosystem, according to a report by Reuters. The proposed scheme, which is expected to be implemented over three years, will target the production of drones, their components, software, counter-drone systems, and allied services. The initiative is being developed under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and is part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on imported technologies and address growing regional security concerns, particularly in light of Pakistan's expanding drone programme backed by China and Turkey. According to the Reuters report, the scheme will include provisions to localise the production of at least 40 per cent of key drone components in India by the end of FY 2027-28. In addition, manufacturers who procure critical parts from within the country will reportedly be eligible for extra incentives, a move aimed at deepening the domestic value chain. The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is also expected to play a supporting role by offering low-cost loans to drone technology firms for working capital and research and development purposes, the report said. This would mark the second major government-led incentive for India's drone sector. In 2021, the Centre launched a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme with a total allocation of INR 120 crore. That programme ended last year. Since then, there has been growing anticipation of a follow-up initiative, especially after the then civil aviation secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam indicated in October 2023 that a new PLI scheme was under consideration. While the earlier PLI scheme helped initiate a fledgling drone ecosystem, officials have reportedly argued that the scale was insufficient to compete with foreign counterparts or to serve India's defence needs independently. The recent uptick in cross-border tensions has accelerated the urgency around launching a more expansive and targeted support mechanism. India's drone manufacturing currently depends heavily on components from countries such as China and Israel. The new incentive programme is seen as an attempt to not only strengthen national security but also foster a robust domestic industry capable of serving both civilian and defence sectors.
Malay Mail
24-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
India and Pakistan extend airspace bans after Kashmir violence, flights to Europe and US face delays
KARACHI, May 24 — Pakistan and India's aviation authorities said yesterday they would extend an airspace ban on each other's airlines, after the worst violence between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades. It comes a month after the deadly April 22 attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir, which sparked a four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan. More than 70 people were killed in missile, drone and artillery fire until a ceasefire was announced on May 10. Pakistan had closed its airspace to Indian aircraft on April 24, while India took a similar measure days later, with the ban to last until May 23. 'No flight operated by Indian airlines or operators will be allowed to use Pakistani airspace,' Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement, adding that the ban had been extended until early morning on June 24. 'This ban will also apply to Indian military aircraft.' India's Ministry of Civil Aviation returned in kind, saying it 'extends (Notice to Airmen) for Pakistan flights for one month', until June 23. Muslim-majority Kashmir is claimed in full by both countries, which have fought multiple wars over the Himalayan territory since their 1947 independence from Britain. Pakistan's decision to close its airspace to carriers from its neighbour has seen journeys from India to Central Asia, Europe and North America take up to two hours longer. And the extra flying time may eventually make flights more expensive. Indian government data shows that when Islamabad closed its airspace in 2019 — after New Delhi hit it with airstrikes in response to an attack in Kashmir — domestic airlines saw a financial cost of nearly 5.5 billion rupees (RM272 million) during the nearly five-month-long shutdown. — AFP
Khaleej Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
India, Pakistan extend airspace bans amid ongoing tensions over Kashmir
Pakistan and India's aviation authorities said on Friday they would extend an airspace ban on each other's airlines, after the worst violence between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades. It comes a month after the deadly April 22 attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir, which sparked a four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan. More than 70 people were killed in missile, drone and artillery fire until a ceasefire was announced on May 10. Pakistan had closed its airspace to Indian aircraft on April 24, while India took a similar measure days later, with the ban to last until May 23. "No flight operated by Indian airlines or operators will be allowed to use Pakistani airspace," Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement, adding that the ban had been extended until early morning on June 24. "This ban will also apply to Indian military aircraft." India's Ministry of Civil Aviation returned in kind, saying it "extends (Notice to Airmen) for Pakistan flights for one month", until June 23. Muslim-majority Kashmir is claimed in full by both countries, which have fought multiple wars over the Himalayan territory since their 1947 independence from Britain. Pakistan's decision to close its airspace to carriers from its neighbour has seen journeys from India to Central Asia, Europe and North America take up to two hours longer. And the extra flying time may eventually make flights more expensive. Indian government data shows that when Islamabad closed its airspace in 2019 — after New Delhi hit it with airstrikes in response to an attack in Kashmir — domestic airlines saw a financial cost of nearly 5.5 billion rupees ($64.3 million) during the nearly five-month-long shutdown.
