IG Defence Gets Odisha Approval for Rs 300 Crore Drone Manufacturing Hub

IG Defence has received approval from the government of Odisha to establish a Rs 300 crore advanced multi-drone manufacturing centre in Ganjam district. The project was cleared by the 144th State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA), chaired by chief secretary Anu Garg, as part of a broader set of industrial approvals aimed at strengthening the state’s manufacturing and strategic industrial base.

The facility will focus on the manufacturing of advanced unmanned aerial systems and related defence technologies, including high-performance tactical and mission-specific drone platforms. Leveraging Odisha’s established defence ecosystem—including DRDO laboratories, HAL facilities, the Ordnance Factory network, and the AD Gopalpur test range the facility will support the development of indigenous electronic warfare-enabled unmanned systems and other mission-critical defence capabilities. These systems will strengthen India’s safety, security, and national sovereignty, while also being positioned for export to India’s friendly partner nations. The project marks a significant step in expanding domestic aerospace and defence manufacturing capacity in line with national self-reliance objectives.

The approval places IG Defence among the key contributors to Odisha’s growing aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem. By establishing operations in the state, the company supports Odisha’s vision for balanced regional industrial development while leveraging emerging infrastructure and strengthening participation in high-technology manufacturing.

As an IP-led defence technology company, IG Defence has built a strong reputation for systems designed for real operational environments. Its drone and counter-drone platforms have been validated through field deployments, including during Operation Sindoor and several patented platforms have already been inducted by the Indian Army and Indian Navy. The company continues to translate in-house research and development into mission-ready solutions supported by a steadily expanding manufacturing footprint across India.

Recently, IG Defence has received orders exceeding 5,000 FPV kamikaze striker drones from multiple defence forces, reflecting growing operational confidence in its combat-proven unmanned systems. These include defence explosive-integrated platforms and kamikaze FPV explosive configurations designed for precision strike and other mission-critical applications, underscoring IG Defence’s evolution into a trusted indigenous supplier of frontline unmanned combat technologies.

The new Odisha facility will further strengthen IG Defence’s national production network and support the scaling of reliable, made in India unmanned systems to meet the evolving operational requirements of India’s armed forces, while enabling compliant exports that support regional security partnerships.

Speaking on the approval, senior vice president, IG Defence, Maj. Gen. R.C. Padhi, said, “This approval from the government of Odisha reinforces the trust placed in IG Defence within India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. The facility is a strategic step towards strengthening indigenous production and ensuring assured, scalable supply of mission-critical systems. It reflects our long-term commitment to building defence infrastructure that supports real operational requirements of the armed forces.”

With the Odisha government approving Rs 4,111.80 crore worth of industrial investments in this round, the state continues to strengthen its position as a destination for next-generation manufacturing. IG Defence’s investment adds momentum to Odisha’s aerospace and defence ecosystem and supports India’s broader objective of building a resilient, self-reliant defence manufacturing base.