In a significant leap toward self-reliant defense innovation, Paras Defence and Space Technologies has entered into a strategic joint venture with Israeli drone leader HevenDrones to develop and manufacture hydrogen-powered autonomous drones in India. The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on May 5, 2025, marks a major milestone in India’s efforts to modernize its defense and homeland security technologies under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The newly formed entity will focus on delivering ready-to-fly hydrogen-powered drone systems tailored to India’s defense and security needs, particularly for surveillance, logistics, hazardous material operations, and border patrol. These drones, powered by hydrogen fuel cells, promise three times the endurance of conventional battery-powered systems and offer zero-emission, low-noise operations—ideal for sensitive and long-duration missions.
Israel’s HevenDrones brings to the table its globally recognized drone expertise, with Israeli startups contributing to over 50% of the country’s anti-drone technologies, as noted by Reuters in early 2025. This partnership combines cutting-edge foreign innovation with Paras Defence’s deep understanding of India’s defense ecosystem and manufacturing capabilities.
India’s defense and aerospace sector, currently valued at $26.78 billion (2023), is on track to nearly double by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.8%, according to Zion Market Research. This rapid expansion creates a strong foundation for innovation-led collaborations such as the Paras-HevenDrones venture.
Industry analysts view this partnership as a strategic inflection point for India’s drone industry, pushing the envelope on integrating autonomous systems, clean energy, and indigenous production into national security frameworks. The move is expected to not only reduce reliance on drone imports but also catalyze exports of high-end drone technologies from India in the future.
As the joint venture gets underway, it is poised to play a pivotal role in transforming India’s drone landscape, offering cutting-edge capabilities to the Indian Armed Forces, paramilitary units, and homeland security agencies—ushering in a new era of technological self-reliance and operational excellence.
