Drone manufacturing company ideaForge anticipates a significant increase in revenue from the civil category, which currently accounts for 30 per cent of its total revenue. CEO Ankit Mehta noted that while growth in the defence sector has not met expectations, the company expects a stronger shift towards civil applications this year.
“This year may be slightly different, with a greater tilt towards the civil segment,” Mehta said. He emphasised the potential of drones as a service, describing it as a unique opportunity to establish a recurring revenue model while also democratising drone technology.
“Our goal is to make this technology accessible to a diverse mix of users, enabling wider adoption across various sectors,” he added.
ideaForge has launched NETRA 5, a future-proof unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for advanced surveillance and operational efficiency. Beyond NETRA 5, ideaForge is developing UAVs in two new categories and tactical drones and surveillance drones. These platforms will feature extended flight endurance for multi-hour operations, and vertical tak-eoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities, allowing deployment from any location.
Additionally, the company is working on a flagship heavy-lift drone, a 500-kg UAV capable of carrying over 100 kg across over 200 km in high-altitude conditions.
Discussing industry trends, Mehta emphasised that the cost of supply is no longer the primary driver of value creation. Instead, the focus is on scaling the industry and enhancing effectiveness over cost-efficiency.
“Right now, the biggest driver is the scale of the drone industry. Effectiveness is more critical than the cost of inputs, as minor input cost changes do not significantly impact margins,” he noted.
