Drone Planet, India’s drone marketplace, has unveiled its Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) platform. The company aims to connect drone entrepreneurs, pilots, and fleet owners to business opportunities in India’s rapidly growing drone industry.
The platform intends to onboard over 200 local drone manufacturers and service providers by 2025, supporting the Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. The platform will provide manufacturers with zero-cost marketplace access, facilitating demand generation and a direct shipping model, eliminating the need for inventory and capital overheads.
With a market growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.4% and projected to reach ₹40,000 crores by 2030, Drone Planet aims to capitalise on this opportunity, benefiting from its network of 20,000 potential buyers across various sectors.
“Our mission with Drone Planet is to give wings to local manufacturers and service providers, extending their reach beyond their immediate networks,” said Preet Sandhuu, the platform’s promoter. Sandhuu emphasised that Drone Planet seeks to create a seamless ecosystem to bolster India’s self-sufficiency in the drone sector.
In addition to marketplace offerings, the platform connects drone operators with DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation)-trained pilots through its network of 31 Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTOs).
The platform will also help secure funding for drone sales, further enhancing the support available to manufacturers and service providers. By 2028, Drone Planet plans to expand operations into Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Western markets.
In May this year, ideaForge and AVPL both received DGCA approval to train drone pilots across the country. This approval allowed AVPL to train pilots for drones weighing between 25 kg and 150 kg, catering to the rising demand for medium-class drone pilots. ideaForge was allowed to conduct its Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) Training (Small Class) programme. The five-day certified training aimed at upskilling nationwide, addressing regulatory standards, and enhancing operational safety.
