Make-In-India push: Govt bans import of drones; supplies positive exceptions

Through PTI

NEW DELHI: The federal government on Wednesday banned import of international drones with positive exceptions as a part of efforts to advertise home production of drones within the nation.

Import of drones for R&D, defence and safety functions had been exempted from the ban however such imports would require due clearances.

“Import of drone parts, on the other hand, shall no longer require any approvals,” the civil aviation ministry mentioned in a liberate on Wednesday.

The Directorate Common of Overseas Industry (DGFT) below the trade and trade ministry has issued a notification banning the import of international drones.

“Import coverage for drones in CBU (Utterly Constructed Up)/CKD (Utterly Knocked Down)/SKD (Semi Knocked Down ) shape is illegitimate with exceptions equipped for R and D, defence and safety functions,” DGFT mentioned.

Import of drones via govt entities, tutorial establishments recognised via central or state govt, govt recognised R&D entities and drone producers for R&D goal will likely be allowed in CBU, SKD or CKD shape.

This will likely be topic to import authorisation issued via DGFT in session with involved line ministries.

Import of drones for defence and safety functions will likely be allowed in CBU, SKD or CKD shape topic to import authorisation issued via DGFT in session with involved line ministries.

The civil aviation ministry mentioned that with a view to advertise Made in India drones, import of international drones has been prohibited with impact from February 9, 2022.

The ministry got here out with liberalised drone regulations in August 2021.

After the principles, the ministry issued the drone airspace map and PLI scheme in September 2021, UTM coverage framework in October 2021.

But even so, drone certification scheme and unmarried window DigitalSky Platform have been installed position remaining month.