At ideaForge, drones are more than just machines – they represent the future of technology, security and industrial transformation. Founded with the mission to create reliable and autonomous uncrewed aircraft vehicles (UAVs), ideaForge has flown over 600,000 flights. One of its UAVs takes off every three minutes. What makes ideaForge stand out in the Indian UAV industry is its ‘mission-first’ approach that ensures that each UAV is engineered to be autonomous and easy to operate without the need for specialized training. In an interview with ideaForge CEO, Ankit Mehta, he describes how his company has grown from a college R&D project in India into an international UAV manufacturing leader.
A Growing Market, A Global Demand
Driven by government support and regulatory changes, the Indian drone industry continues to grow quickly. With increased investments in the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which provides ₹120 crore to Indian drone and component manufacturers based on value add (20% incentives on domestic value addition), and the establishment of a large private-sector research and development (R&D) fund, India is positioning itself as a global leader in UAV technology.
One of the country’s leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), ideaForge, has been quick to adapt by diversifying its UAVs to serve industries beyond defense. As the Indian market evolves, ideaForge is expanding into long-endurance drones, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered UAVs and cargo drones that can help with last-mile deliveries.
ideaForge’s success translates beyond India’s borders, however. Mehta emphasized the company’s international ambitions. “Globally, we are strengthening our presence in markets like the United States, where the demand for non-Chinese-origin UAV solutions is rising due to cybersecurity concerns,” he said. By expanding into new markets, ideaForge is setting itself up for long-term success in the global UAV industry.
From Passion Project to International Business
ideaForge started as a passion project among a group of students who were fascinated by hardware technology and robotics at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. What began as a college research initiative quickly turned into something bigger when Mehta, along with Rahul Singh, the company’s current VP of Engineering, and Ashish Bhat, VP of R&D, decided to take their work beyond the classroom. Soon more team members joined – many of whom are still with the company today, nearly two decades later.
Purpose in Tragedy
By 2007, ideaForge had officially launched, but its true turning point came in the aftermath of one of India’s most tragic events, a year later. “The 26/11 Mumbai attacks underscored the need for advanced aerial surveillance,” Mehta recalled. At the time, helicopters were being used for reconnaissance, but he and his team saw how drones could have been a far more effective tool in high-risk situations. This realization reinforced their commitment to build UAV technology designed for mission-critical applications.
The Big Break
That same year, the team got its first big break when IIT Bombay won top spots in national competitions. This put ideaForge in the spotlight. Around the same time, the team started supplying autopilot technology to India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) labs. This proved that their innovations had real-world value.
In 2009, ideaForge garnered acclaim as the the first in India to indigenously develop vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAVs. But running a hardware startup was no easy feat. Mehta explained, “Unlike software startups, hardware development requires extensive R&D, rigorous testing and capital-intensive manufacturing.” ideaForge’s hardware required years of engineering, testing and fine-tuning before it could be considered market-ready.
The Tough Transition
In the early years, securing the necessary funding to keep things moving also proved to be a challenge. The team had to rely on consultancy projects, grants and competitions.
Hiring the right people was yet another uphill battle. “The drone sector was still in its infancy and finding engineers who not only had the necessary skills, but also the passion to work in an emerging industry, was not easy,” Mehta said.
Over time, Mehta and his colleagues figured out how to bring in the right talent, including leaders like Vipul Joshi to drive financial strategy and Parminder S. Devsi who spearheads international expansion.
Looking back at the company’s journey, Mehta reflected, “Today, ideaForge has grown from a student-led research initiative into a leader in India’s UAV industry, driven by a commitment to innovation, reliability and mission-critical performance.”
The Early Days: Proving Value With Drones in Action
Early on, the company worked with government agencies and industries to show how drones could solve pressing problems. One such recent case was in Karnataka’s Haliyal Forest, where outdated fire detection methods led to slow response times and increased risk.
While satellites provide broad coverage, they come with limitations—pre-scheduled imaging, susceptibility to cloud cover and high operational costs. In contrast, UAVs offer on-demand deployment, zero latency and high-resolution insights, making them an invaluable tool for security, disaster response and precision agriculture.
Recognizing the urgent need for a real-time solution, government officials partnered with ideaForge to deploy the company’s Q6 V2 UAVs for 24/7 monitoring. These drones, equipped with advanced thermal imaging and live video feeds, could scan vast forest areas in minutes. This reduced response times from hours to just two minutes. The UAVs detected fire hazards up to 10 kilometers away. This allowed officials to act before flames could spread. ideaForge also set up a Ground Control Station (GCS) and integrated its proprietary BlueFire Live, a state-of-the-art real-time video streaming solution that provides real-time feed into existing Command & Control Centers. This enabled authorities to request immediate drone flights and monitor fires remotely.
Beyond fire detection, the drones also helped curb illegal encroachments by providing round-the-clock surveillance, which significantly reduced the need for ground patrols. This early successful implementation highlighted the impact of UAVs in disaster prevention and proved that technology could bridge the gap where traditional methods fell short.
Bold Moves: New Partners, Products and Technologies
Last year, the company expanded its presence to the United States, setting up ideaForge Technology Inc. in Texas. This move marked a significant milestone, bringing its proven, innovative UAV solutions to a global audience. From there, they took additional steps like forming new partnerships and launching cutting-edge products
Collaboration with Vantage Robotics
Its recent partnership with California-based Vantage Robotics is a big step in its expansion goals. ideaForge brings its expertise in building rugged, high-performance UAVs, while Vantage Robotics specializes in nano and micro drones designed for security and defense. Together, they’re looking at a $1 billion market opportunity, with a focus on tactical and enterprise applications.
ideaForge has steadily expanded its R&D and manufacturing capabilities, with hubs in Navi Mumbai and Bengaluru, along with a strategic presence in Delhi and the U.S. One of the biggest advantages of the collaboration with Vantage Robotics is that ideaForge’s AS9100:D certified facility in Navi Mumbai will now be manufacturing Vantage’s UAVs. This gives both companies a competitive edge in scaling production and meeting international demand. This move also strengthens ideaForge’s foothold in the U.S. market by tapping into Vantage’s Blue sUAS designation, a trusted certification by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
The NETRA 5 Launch
On the product front, ideaForge has introduced the NETRA 5 UAV. Designed for high-risk defense and security operations, this UAV weighs under 8 kg. It can be deployed in under three minutes and comes packed with features like radar-based obstacle detection, AI-driven target identification and modular payload capabilities. With its ability to carry Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and multispectral sensors, it’s built for everything from surveillance to precision mapping.
Doubling Down On Home-Grown Autonomy
As drone regulations continue to advance, ideaForge is doubling down on beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) capabilities and autonomy. Their key focus is to develop secure Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems, which will enable real-time deployment of UAVs for urban surveillance, infrastructure monitoring and supply chain logistics.
ideaForge has also built in-house autopilot technology, AI-powered aerial analytics and encrypted communication systems, ensuring mission-critical reliability while reducing dependence on imports. As Mehta put it, “Indigenization remains central to our strategy.” This approach aligns with India’s vision for self-reliance in drone technology which also reinforces national security.
A Future Built on Innovation and Global Reach
Raksha Aatmanirbharta is India’s push for self-reliance in defense to ensure that critical military technology is developed and controlled domestically. It aligns with the broader Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision, which focuses on economic independence, infrastructure growth, and technological advancement. For ideaForge, this commitment to “Make in India” and self-reliance in defense isn’t just a policy goal; it’s a strategic necessity that shapes every step forward.
Made in India translates to success in other markets. This is why ideaForge has garnered global recognition. According to Drone Industry Insights’ December 2024 report, the company ranks 3rd worldwide among dual-use drone manufacturers.
Looking ahead, ideaForge next plans to integrate drones into governance and enterprise applications through Flyght Cloud, an AI-driven platform that merges real-time UAV operations with actionable intelligence for decision-making. To stay updated on their latest innovations, visit the ideaForge website.