Telangana to Launch Drone Manufacturing and Testing Corridor to Strengthen Defence Capabilities

Hyderabad, Dec 2025 : Telangana is set to establish a Drone Manufacturing and Testing Corridor as part of its efforts to boost indigenous defence capabilities, said State Minister for Information Technology and Industries Duddilla Sridhar Babu on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Bhoomi Pooja ceremony for the proposed JSW Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Facility at the Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) in Maheshwaram, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, the Minister highlighted the state’s ambition to position itself as the “Defence Strategic Hub of India.” The facility is being developed by JSW Defence in partnership with Shield AI, with an investment of Rs 850 crore.

Sridhar Babu noted that drones, satellites, cyber systems, and artificial intelligence have become integral components of modern warfare. “Achieving self-reliance in drone manufacturing is crucial for national security in the current geopolitical environment,” he said.

The government is preparing a comprehensive roadmap to transform Telangana into a global leader in defence innovation, with a special focus on unmanned aerial systems, drone technologies, and aerospace manufacturing. The Minister added that India’s domestic UAV and drone market is expected to reach $4.4–5 billion by 2030, and Telangana aims to capitalize on this growth by building a world-class ecosystem for production and innovation.

Observing the presence of global defence firms like Elbit Systems and Schiebel in Hyderabad, Sridhar Babu said it reflects Telangana’s rising prominence in the defence and aerospace sector.

The upcoming JSW UAV facility, spread over 16 acres, will manufacture up to 300 VBAT drones annually and is expected to commence operations by the end of next year. The unit will include integrated production, repair, and testing capabilities and is projected to generate around 300 skilled jobs.

The ceremony was attended by MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy and senior government officials. The initiative marks a significant step in Telangana’s strategic push to enhance defence manufacturing, promote indigenous innovation, and strengthen national security infrastructure.