Russian tech firms’ interest gives wings to ‘drone capital’ dream

Haryana’s ambition to emerge as a drone and aerospace manufacturing destination has received a potential boost, with Russian technology companies exploring two joint ventures at Drone City Haryana in Sisai, Hansi.

A high-level Russian delegation met Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in Chandigarh to discuss investment, technology transfer, joint research and industrial collaboration.

One of the proposals involves a collaboration between Russia’s Omnitech LLC and AVPL International for setting up the facility at Sisai. The proposed unmanned helicopter would have a range of up to 250 km and a payload capacity of up to 200 kg, according to the proposal presented to the CM.

The facility is envisaged as more than an assembly unit to include manufacturing, research, testing and technology-development capabilities for advanced unmanned helicopter platforms.

Such drones could potentially be deployed for industrial logistics, disaster management and transporting essential supplies to remote and inaccessible areas.

If finalised, the joint venture would mark a significant step in Haryana’s attempt to develop a specialised ecosystem around unmanned aerial systems and aerospace manufacturing.

The second proposed India-Russia venture could have wider technological significance.

Russia’s 4GNSS LLC/Orient Systems Group and AVPL International are exploring development of drone-navigation technology capable of functioning without GPS/GNSS signals.

The proposed system is intended to enable drones to complete assigned missions even when satellite-navigation signals are unavailable. Significantly, the project also proposes exploring the use of Indian semiconductor chips, along with indigenous technology development and manufacturing in India.

The proposed Russian collaboration builds on the state’s existing push to develop Sisai and the wider Hisar region as a drone-manufacturing centre.

The Haryana Enterprise Promotion Board, chaired by Saini, has approved a Rs 58.51-crore special incentive package for AITMC Ventures Limited under the Haryana Enterprises and Employment Policy, 2020, for developing a drone and drone-component manufacturing hub in Hisar district.

The CM had also, during a September 28 review, asked officials to prioritise drone-manufacturing research, provide facilities to startups and strengthen technical skills among youth as part of the state’s objective of developing Haryana as the “Drone Capital”.

Drone City Haryana at Sisai is emerging as the focal point of the strategy. Its foundation stone was laid in September 2025, while the first phase was inaugurated in May this year by Cabinet Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi.