DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations Ltd, a leading industrial drone solution provider, has announced that it will acquire a 76 per cent stake in Aerophile Academy Pvt Ltd, a DGCA-certified drone pilot training center. This marks DroneAcharya’s entry into the South Indian drone pilot training market, which is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years.
A strategic partnership for the drone industry
DroneAcharya and Aerophile have signed a term sheet to finalize the share purchase agreement in due course. According to the stock exchange filing, Aerophile Academy will retain a 24 per cent stake in the partnership. The deal value and other financial details have not been disclosed yet.
The acquisition will enable DroneAcharya to leverage Aerophile’s expertise and infrastructure in drone pilot training, which is a mandatory requirement for operating drones in India as per the DGCA regulations. Aerophile Academy has trained over 500 drone pilots since its inception in 2020 and has a state-of-the-art facility in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Prateek Srivastava, Founder and Managing Director of DroneAcharya, said, “We are focused on becoming India’s leading Drone Pilot Training Organization and believe in symbiotic relations. Our strategy will enable our partners to grow along with us while making an impact in the world today.”
A growing demand for drone pilots in India
The drone industry in India is witnessing a surge in demand for various applications such as agriculture, mining, infrastructure, surveillance, disaster management, and delivery. According to a report by FICCI and EY, the Indian drone market is expected to reach $885.7 million by 2021, growing at a CAGR of 58 per cent.
However, the industry also faces a shortage of skilled and certified drone pilots, who are essential for ensuring safe and efficient drone operations. The DGCA has issued guidelines for drone pilot training, which include theory and practical sessions, examinations, and certification. The DGCA has also authorized several drone pilot training organizations (DPTOs) across the country to conduct the training programs.
DroneAcharya, which is also a DPTO, has been offering drone pilot training courses in North India since 2021. With the acquisition of Aerophile Academy, DroneAcharya will be able to expand its presence and reach in the South Indian market, where there is a high demand for drone pilots.
A positive outlook for the drone sector
The drone sector in India is poised for a bright future, as the government and the private sector are investing in developing and deploying drone technologies for various purposes. The government has also launched several initiatives to promote the drone ecosystem, such as the Drone Rules 2021, the Digital Sky Platform, the Drone Corridor, and the Drone Innovation Challenge.
DroneAcharya, which is one of the leading players in the drone sector, has been providing end-to-end drone solutions for various industries, such as defence, agriculture, mining, and infrastructure. The company has also bagged several prestigious contracts and awards, such as the export order for defence FPV drones from Israel, the National Award for Innovation in Drone Technology, and the recognition as a ‘Startup India’ company.
With the acquisition of Aerophile Academy, DroneAcharya aims to further strengthen its position in the drone sector and contribute to the growth and development of the drone industry in India.
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