Skydio, a prominent U.S. drone manufacturer, and Aeroarc, a leading drone manufacturer in India, have announced a groundbreaking partnership aimed at advancing AI collaboration between the two nations. This collaboration will introduce cutting-edge autonomous flight technology to the Indian subcontinent. Under this partnership, Skydio will extend support to Aeroarc in various aspects including development, manufacturing, deployment, and customer support of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) tailored for Indian clients. The announcement coincides with their participation in the February meeting of the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X), highlighting a strategic alliance between the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) to foster defense industrial cooperation.
Skydio has demonstrated a strong commitment to India’s technology sector, notably with the establishment of an R&D center in Bengaluru last year. Through its collaboration with Aeroarc, Skydio aims to bolster its manufacturing footprint in the region, co-create specialized UAS applications, and facilitate market expansion. This partnership will cater to the requirements of the Indian Ministry of Defense and other defense customers in the Indo-Pacific region, contributing to India’s emergence as a global center for advanced defense technology.
Adam Bry, CEO and co-founder of Skydio, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the significance of autonomous drone technology in enhancing India’s defense innovation strategy and promoting regional security objectives. Arjun Aggarwal, Managing Director of Aeroarc Pvt Ltd, highlighted the partnership’s role in reinforcing defense and technological ties between the two countries, aligning with India’s ‘Make in India for the World’ initiative and strengthening global supply chain resilience.
The collaboration between Skydio and Aeroarc resonates with broader strategic goals outlined in the January 2023 initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), jointly announced by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi. This initiative aims to deepen cooperation on critical technologies, bolster defense ties, and accelerate innovation ecosystems in both countries.
Skydio, renowned for providing drone solutions to a wide array of corporations and government agencies globally, including the U.S. military and allied nations, continues to lead in defense innovation. The company recently introduced its latest drones, the Skydio X10 for commercial enterprises and the Skydio X10D for defense and government applications. These drones feature state-of-the-art sensors, advanced autonomy, and robust airframe design, catering to various industries such as defense, public safety, and energy utilities. Notably, the Skydio X10D stands out as the first small UAS equipped with revolutionary NightSense technology, enabling autonomous operations in low-light conditions, and integrating FLIR Boson+ sensor for enhanced thermal imaging capabilities.
