Mumbai, India, April 3 – In a landmark move for India’s defence and drone technology sector, Paras Defence and Space Technologies Ltd has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Israel’s MicroCon Vision Ltd, a subsidiary of Controp and the Rafael Group. This collaboration is set to revolutionize India’s drone surveillance capabilities by significantly reducing the cost of high-end drone cameras while strengthening India-Israel defence ties.
Big Win for ‘Make in India’: Cutting Drone Camera Costs by 60%
One of the biggest takeaways from this deal is the sharp reduction in cost. Currently, high-end drone cameras used for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions cost between ₹20 lakh to ₹40 lakh per unit. Thanks to Paras Defence’s indigenous production capabilities, the new partnership is expected to bring prices down by 50-60%, making cutting-edge surveillance technology more accessible to India’s defence forces and commercial sectors.
With India aggressively pushing for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, this deal aligns with the ‘Make in India’ initiative by boosting domestic production, reducing import dependency, and positioning the country as a global hub for advanced drone technology.
A Strategic Partnership to Dominate India’s Drone Market
Under the agreement, Paras Defence will act as the exclusive supplier of MicroCon’s advanced drone camera technology in India. In return, MicroCon will provide its world-class ISR payloads and Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) seekers to Paras Defence, giving Indian forces access to top-tier surveillance capabilities.
MicroCon is expanding its footprint in India, capitalizing on the country’s rapidly growing drone market, which is projected to grow by 17% annually until 2029. This partnership is a crucial step toward fulfilling India’s increasing demand for tactical ISR solutions across defence, homeland security, disaster management, and industrial applications.
Industry Leaders Weigh In
Munjal Sharad Shah, Managing Director of Paras Defence, emphasized the long-term impact of this partnership, stating:
“This collaboration represents a major leap forward in India’s defence capabilities. We are committed to supporting India’s strategic goals and are proud to partner with MicroCon in this groundbreaking endeavour.”
MicroCon CEO Chen Almog echoed this enthusiasm, highlighting the potential of their joint expertise:
“We are excited about our collaboration with Paras Defence, which is a key component of our strategy to establish strong local partnerships worldwide. By combining MicroCon’s global expertise with Paras Defence’s local insights, we will foster innovation and strengthen the defence infrastructure in India.”
AI-Powered ISR Tech to Strengthen India’s Security
This collaboration goes beyond cost reduction—it is also about integrating state-of-the-art technologies into India’s defence ecosystem. The ISR payloads set to be developed under this partnership will include AI-powered analytics, high-resolution imaging, and thermal vision capabilities, significantly enhancing surveillance and operational efficiency.
The Bigger Picture: Strengthening India-Israel Defence Ties
The agreement underscores the growing strategic partnership between India and Israel in the defence sector. Over the years, Israel has emerged as a key defence supplier to India, and this latest collaboration reinforces the two nations’ commitment to technological innovation and security cooperation.
A New Era for India’s Drone Industry
As India’s drone industry enters a pivotal growth phase, this partnership between Paras Defence and MicroCon addresses a major gap—access to high-performance, cost-effective drone cameras. By leveraging MicroCon’s global expertise and Paras Defence’s manufacturing prowess, India is set to become a global powerhouse in advanced drone technology.
With defence modernization and indigenous innovation at the forefront, this collaboration is not just a deal—it’s a turning point for India’s drone surveillance capabilities and defence self-sufficiency. The impact of this strategic alliance will be felt across military operations, border security, disaster response, and even commercial sectors, setting a new benchmark for innovation and cost-effectiveness in the global drone market.
