THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 10, 2026

In a significant boost to Odisha’s fast-evolving aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem, BonV Aero marked a major milestone with the inauguration of the BonV Drone Park in Khordha on Wednesday, with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attending the groundbreaking and inauguration ceremony.

The event also witnessed the presence of Sampad Chandra Swain, Minister of State for Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education; Aparajita Sarangi, Member of Parliament, Bhubaneswar; and Prasant Kumar Jagadev, Member of Legislative Assembly, Khordha, along with senior government officials and company representatives.

Spread across 30 acres in two phases, the BonV Drone Park entails a planned investment of ₹300 crore and is expected to generate over 1,000 direct employment opportunities across advanced manufacturing, research and development, pilot training and operations. The facility signifies BonV Aero’s transition from an R&D-driven enterprise to scalable UAV manufacturing, aligning with India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and strengthening the domestic drone ecosystem.

The state-of-the-art park will house advanced drone assembly lines capable of manufacturing thousands of UAVs to cater to India’s growing demand and tap into the expanding global market. It will also include Centres of Excellence and a dedicated skilling centre, while promoting ecosystem development through collaboration with MSMEs, component manufacturers and academic institutions, thereby fostering a strong supply chain network.

Speaking on the occasion, Satyabrata Satapathy, Co-Founder & CEO, BonV Aero, highlighted the company’s commitment to Odisha, stating that the initiative goes beyond manufacturing and focuses on building a robust local ecosystem by collaborating with MSMEs and ancillary industries. The BonV Drone Park is envisioned as a catalyst for developing a distributed manufacturing network and strengthening the state’s position in the global UAV economy.

The ceremony also featured the showcasing of BonV Aero’s flagship aerial platforms, demonstrating cutting-edge indigenous heavy-lift UAV capabilities. Designed for high payload capacity, extended endurance and all-terrain operability, the platforms feature modular architecture and advanced navigation systems capable of functioning in GNSS-denied environments, catering to defence, logistics and critical infrastructure sectors.

BonV Aero lauded the progressive industrial policies of the Government of Odisha, particularly the Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing Policy 4.0 and initiatives such as the B-MAAN Scheme, which are accelerating innovation and investment in next-generation technologies. The company emphasised that Odisha is rapidly emerging as a preferred destination for deep-tech industries, supported by robust policy frameworks and infrastructure development.

Looking ahead, BonV Aero reaffirmed its long-term vision to transform Odisha into a global hub for UAV innovation and manufacturing. In collaboration with key stakeholders, the company is developing a state-of-the-art UAV test and validation facility in Rangeilunda, which will accelerate drone testing, certification and advanced trials while attracting UAV companies from across the country.

Combined with targeted skilling initiatives, the company aims to create a future-ready drone workforce, reinforcing Odisha’s emergence as a self-sustaining centre of excellence in UAV technology and strengthening its position in India’s rapidly expanding aerospace and defence sector.