Paras Defence and Heven Drones partner to build hydrogen-powered logistics drones

By Staff Report May 13, 2025 5:24 pm IST

Paras Defence and Space Technologies Ltd. has formed a joint venture with Israeli company Heven Drones to manufacture logistics and cargo drones in India. The venture, Paras Heven Drones India, aims to strengthen domestic drone production capabilities and support the Government of India’s “Make in India” campaign.

Paras Defence and Space Technologies Ltd. has partnered with Israeli company Heven Drones Ltd. to form a strategic joint venture for manufacturing logistics and cargo drones in India. The initiative supports the Government of India’s “Make in India” campaign and aims to strengthen domestic drone production capabilities.

The new entity, named Paras Heven Drones India, has been established through a memorandum of understanding. Paras Defence holds a 51% stake, while Heven Drones holds 49%. The joint venture will focus on the design, development, and manufacturing of advanced drones capable of carrying payloads between 10 kg and 40 kg for both defence and commercial applications.

A key feature of the venture is the integration of Heven Drones’ hydrogen-powered technology, which offers extended flight endurance. Current models can carry 5 kg for up to 2.5 hours, with larger drones in development capable of carrying 23 kg for up to 12 hours.

The project begins with an initial investment of $1 million, allocated for infrastructure development and testing equipment. While some components will be imported from Israel, a significant portion of manufacturing will be conducted in India to reduce costs and meet regulatory requirements. The drones are expected to be approximately 20% more affordable than Israeli-made models due to local production.

Production is set to begin in the coming quarters. According to Munjal Shah, Managing Director of Paras Defence, the company aims to start selling drones in the hundredsannually from the next financial year. Both companies can scale up to tens of units permonth.

India’s logistics drone market, covering defence resupply, disaster relief, and commercial deliveries, is projected to exceed $1 billion. The joint venture aims to capture a significant share by offering cost-effective, high-performance drone solutions. Plans also include expansion into global markets, combining Paras Defence’s manufacturing strength with Heven’s technological expertise.

Yossi Weiss, President of Heven Drones and former CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries, confirmed the drones are suitable for military and civilian use, with several models already combat proven.

This collaboration marks a major step in enhancing India’s indigenous defence manufacturing and positions the joint venture as a competitive player in the global drone industry.