India’s drone industry is set for exponential growth, with projections estimating the market will reach USD 1.437 billion by 2029.
The drone market in India is poised for a stupendous growth in the coming years, driven by government initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and the Make in India campaign. These efforts are enhancing local manufacturing and research in drone technology, creating exciting investment opportunities, particularly through franchising. According to recent reports, India’s drone industry is set for exponential growth, with projections estimating the market will reach USD 1.437 billion by 2029. This growth at an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.0% is expected to generate over 5 lakh jobs in the near future. Additionally, the drone services sector alone is predicted to expand to over INR 300 billion within the next three years.
Factors Driving the Growth of the Drone Industry
All industries across varied sectors are utilising Drones as they are becoming essential in many ways:
Agriculture: Drones help monitor crop health, soil conditions, and optimize irrigation, making farming more efficient.
Defense and Security: Drones are vital for surveillance, border control, and security operations.
Logistics and Delivery: Companies are using drones for faster, more cost-effective deliveries, especially in e-commerce.
Government Support: The Indian government is actively promoting drone technology through initiatives like Drone Shakti and offering subsidies to boost local production. This is encouraging manufacturers and startups to innovate and invest in drone technology.
Strong Domestic Manufacturing: Indian drone manufacturers are producing cost-effective drones for both military and commercial use. These drones are meeting local demand and are also being exported, helping the industry grow.
Why Franchising in Drone Industry?
Considering the exponential growth, potential in abundance & this rapid expansion, franchising has emerged as a game changer, offering a structured path for investors while leveraging established technology and support systems. One of the leading brands in drone franchising is ideaForge Technology Limited. ideaForge has made significant strides in India’s drone industry by launching the country’s first app-based Drone as a Service (DaaS) model, known as the FLYGHT Franchise. This initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs, boost UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) adoption across key sectors, and transform businesses by offering scalable drone services with high returns on investment. Supported by prominent investors like Qualcomm, Infosys, and Celesta Capital, ideaForge has earned a reputation for its cutting-edge drone technology and strong market presence. Globally, ideaForge is ranked 5th among dual-use (civil and military) drone manufacturers.
The FLYGHT Franchise by ideaForge is paving the way for the next generation of drone businesses in India. By offering scalable business solutions, exclusive operational areas, and marketing support, FLYGHT enables franchisees to tap into various sectors such as public safety, infrastructure, agriculture, and logistics.
“Franchising in the drone sector is a transformative opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs,” says Ezhilan Nanmaran, Head of Product and Strategic Partnerships at ideaForge. “With our FLYGHT Franchise model, we’re not just providing a business framework but giving entrepreneurs access to cutting-edge technology, AI capabilities, and a proven system that will drive growth in this industry.”
Franchise models provide a crucial stepping stone for individuals and businesses looking to enter the drone sector. They come with several advantages:
Established Technology: Franchisees benefit from proven drone technology, minimizing the risks associated with R&D and operational execution.
Training and Support: Franchisors offer extensive operational, marketing, and technical support to ensure franchisees succeed.
Diverse Applications: From agriculture to defense and logistics, drones have a wide range of applications, providing franchisees with multiple revenue streams.
“Drone technology is revolutionizing industries across India, and our franchise model allows entrepreneurs to be a part of this transformation. Whether it's boosting agricultural productivity or providing advanced surveillance, the opportunities are endless,” explains Ezhilan Nanmaran.
As India continues to integrate drone technology across industries such as agriculture, logistics, defense, and more, franchise models will empower a new generation of entrepreneurs to lead the charge. With strong government support for local manufacturing and innovation in drone technology, the future of drone franchising looks promising.
Franchisees in the drone industry will benefit from more than just operational and financial advantages. ideaForge’s FLYGHT Franchise enables franchisees to tap into diverse use cases across multiple sectors, including traffic and parking management, security solutions, city planning and development, emergency response, and inventory management.
The franchise model not only offers scalable opportunities but also provides businesses access to a growing network of franchisees with similar goals, fostering collaboration and shared successes. Speaking about the brand’s scalability and presence, Ezhilan Nanmaran adds, “With cutting-edge technology, proven industry expertise, and a lucrative financial model, the FLYGHT Franchise will redefine how UAV technology is deployed across the nation. The ideaForge FLYGHT service has been successfully implemented across multiple states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Orissa, and West Bengal.”
