Russian Technology Delegation Visits Haryana’s AVPL Drone City to Explore India Partnership

A high-level Russian delegation of technology and innovation experts visited AVPL Drone City in Sisai, Haryana, to explore opportunities for strengthening India-Russia cooperation in drone technology, advanced manufacturing, research and industrial partnerships. The delegation, hosted by AVPL International in association with the Drone Tech Multi-State Cooperative Society Ltd, included Leonid V. Artemov, Director of the Center for Technological Cooperation at the Skolkovo Foundation, and Sergey V. Vikharev, President of the UITC Consortium. Akash Gupta served as the delegation's official interpreter and India coordinator.

During the visit, the Russian experts toured the facility's drone manufacturing units, R&D laboratories, testing infrastructure and planned expansion zones. Discussions focused on technology transfer, joint manufacturing, research collaboration, investment opportunities, exports and global market access. The visit is expected to support greater industrial cooperation between Indian and Russian companies in the growing drone sector. Potential partnerships in technology development, manufacturing and research could strengthen domestic capabilities while creating opportunities for Indian firms to expand into international markets.

The Haryana Government has provided ₹58 crore in incentives for the development of AVPL Drone City, reflecting the state's efforts to establish an integrated ecosystem for drones and emerging technologies. The project is also linked to rural entrepreneurship initiatives, including the "500 Panchayat–500 Drone Udhami Initiative", aimed at creating drone entrepreneurs across rural Haryana. Expansion of the facility is expected to generate employment in manufacturing, electronics, component production, R&D, maintenance, logistics, warehousing and technical support. It will also support the "1 Panchayat–1 Drone Udhami" mission, encouraging rural youth to build businesses around drone-based services.

AVPL International said the collaboration could help position Haryana as a global drone manufacturing and innovation hub while creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for rural communities. The company credited FICCI for facilitating the engagement following its participation in a business delegation to Russia. AVPL International Founder and Managing Director Dr. Preet Sandhu said the vision was to integrate manufacturing, R&D, innovation, skill development, exports and global partnerships under one ecosystem, strengthening India's position in the international drone industry.