Introductory Memo
Who will believe that the present-day drones are evolutionary products of the pilotless aircraft developed during World War-I? Their modified radio-controlled versions were used only as targets for training purposes in 1935. Around this time, the term ‘drone’ is believed to have been inspired by the name of ‘DH.82B Queen Bee’ model. Cut to the present day: drones have become a useful part of everyday life. They are used in defence, logistics, agriculture and healthcare. In modern warfare too, their high effectiveness in surveillance and precision strikes costs lower compared to aircraft. In India, the drone industry is growing quickly with strong government support. The aim is to become self-reliant so that technology and data remain secure. Many Indian startups also are making drone parts and assembling them locally. This supports the idea of Atmanirbhar Bharat and also helps reduce risks related to privacy and security.