The Amaravati Drone Summit 2024 marked a pivotal moment for India's drone sector, bringing together innovators, policymakers, and industry experts to explore the transformative potential of drones across multiple sectors. Held from October 22 to 23 at the CK Convention Center in Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh, the summit was organized by the Andhra Pradesh Drone Corporation in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and Drone Federation India (DFI). This summit is part of a larger state initiative to position Andhra Pradesh—and, ultimately, India—as a global leader in drone technology and applications, with ambitious plans to achieve this goal by 2030.
One of the summit’s key events was a panel discussion moderated by Amit Dutta, Chairman of the CII Task Force on Advanced Air Mobility and Managing Director of Hunch Mobility. His panel, titled “Investor Insights on Challenges & Funding Opportunities in the Indian Drone Ecosystem,” featured prominent voices, including J. Nivas, Additional Secretary of Finance for Andhra Pradesh; Maruthi Amardeep Sri Vatsavaya, CEO of BluJ Aerospace; and Naman Pushp, Co-Founder of Airbound. Together, they provided insights into the funding landscape and challenges facing India’s growing drone industry, underscoring the need for strategic investment to support technological innovation and expansion.
The Amaravati Drone Summit’s goals extend beyond investment opportunities. Andhra Pradesh is committed to making India a “Drone Hub” and aims to promote the application of drones in diverse fields such as agriculture, logistics, and emergency response.
In addition to panel discussions and workshops, the summit featured an extensive exhibition showcasing exhibitors displaying cutting-edge drone technology aimed at applications ranging from public safety to disaster relief. The event also hosted a hackathon, encouraging creative and practical solutions to real-world drone challenges. This hackathon highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to fostering innovation and engagement among India’s youth, positioning them at the forefront of the nation’s drone revolution.