BonV Aero Breaks Ground on ₹300 Cr Drone Facility in Odisha

Drone manufacturing startup BonV Aero has broken ground on a ₹300 crore unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) facility in Khordha, Odisha. The company said the project will generate over 1,000 jobs within two years and strengthen the state’s position in UAV manufacturing. 

The facility will span 2.5 acres and include assembly lines, a drone centre of excellence, and a skilling centre. This comes just as IG Defence (previously IG Drones) received approval in February to set up a ₹300 crore drone manufacturing centre in Ganjam district of Odisha.

“We are not just building a facility, we are building Odisha’s gateway into the global UAV economy,” Satyabrata Satapathy, Co-founder and CEO of BonV Aero, said in a statement. He added that the project will focus on indigenous drone manufacturing and pilot training, with local youth playing a central role.

Along with this development, the company also showcased three aerial platforms designed for defence, logistics, and infrastructure use. BonV Aero said the facility will support drone production, pilot training, and testing, with plans to integrate local MSMEs into its supply chain.

The Khordha site will function as an integrated UAV hub. It will include a drone park for testing and innovation, along with an experience centre for public and stakeholder engagement. The company also plans to set up a remote pilot training organisation to train certified drone pilots.

BonV Aero cited the state’s Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing Policy 4.0 and the B-MAAN scheme as key enablers. It also pointed to the ₹17,250 crore Integrated Defence and Aerospace Manufacturing Hub planned in Dhenkanal.

The Khordha project adds to BonV Aero’s plans in the state, including a proposed UAV corridor in Rangeilunda. The company said the move reflects a shift in India’s drone manufacturing footprint beyond traditional centres.