ideaForge Technology Limited, India’s leading UAV technology company, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Resonia Limited (formerly Sterlite Grid 32 Ltd), to enable the adoption of advanced drone and robotics technologies in power transmission infrastructure projects across India.
This collaboration marks a pivotal step in modernizing how transmission towers and substations are surveyed, constructed, and maintained. By leveraging ideaForge’s proven UAV capabilities and Resonia’s execution leadership in timely completing complex power transmission projects, this partnership aims to accelerate deployment timelines, improve workforce safety, and enhance operational reliability – particularly in difficult terrains and high-risk environments. It also places a strong emphasis on capacity building, with ideaForge providing hands-on training, certification programs, and knowledge-sharing workshops to Resonia personnel. This will ensure safe, effective drone operations and long-term sustainability. All UAV deployments under this collaboration will strictly adhere to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) norms and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
Speaking on the partnership, Ankit Mehta, CEO, ideaForge Technology Limited said that, “ideaForge has always been at the forefront of deploying unmanned systems for mission-critical applications. This collaboration with Resonia represents a significant step as we bring our advanced UAV technology to the energy sector. By streamlining survey, construction, and maintenance processes, we aim to reduce timelines and enhance safety, productivity, and reliability, especially in challenging environments. Through this partnership, we are contributing to the modernization of India’s power infrastructure and demonstrating how homegrown technology can play a crucial role in shaping a more efficient and resilient energy future.”
Pratik Agarwal, Chairman Resonia Ltd. said, “Our partnership with ideaForge marks a significant step forward in accelerating power transmission infrastructure. By integrating advanced drone and robotics technology across the lifecycle of our projects—from design and construction to ongoing maintenance—we are enhancing efficiency through mechanisation, improving safety, and promoting sustainability. Through the use of advanced UAV technology, we are setting a new standard for excellence in infrastructure delivery, and de-risking the sector from issues such as acute labour shortage.”
Under the partnership, ideaForge will deliver specialized drone-based solutions for critical power sector applications, including GIS surveys, route planning, construction progress monitoring, and real-time asset inspection. ideaForge’s world-class UAVs,equipped with high-precision payloads like LiDAR, multispectral, and hyperspectral sensors, will deliver actionable insights for more efficient infrastructure planning and execution. In parallel, ideaForge will also develop and deploy specialised software for real-time monitoring and health assessment of power transmission assets to predict potential failures and enable predictive maintenance, further improving the safety and reliability of infrastructure.
A key innovation area in the engagement will be the use of heavy-lift drones to support material transport and wire stringing in transmission projects. Traditionally reliant on helicopters or extensive manual labor, these high-risk operations in challenging terrains will now benefit from drone-enabled automation – improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing safety. The partnership also includes a joint R&D roadmap to future-proof drone capabilities for the energy sector’s evolving needs and adapt cutting-edge solutions to on-ground challenges.
This collaboration is another step forward in ideaForge’s long-standing commitment to cutting-edge drone technology and building solutions tailored to customer needs. With a track record of designing, engineering, and manufacturing UAVs with best-in-class performance, reliability, and autonomy, ideaForge continues to lead the charge in creating mission-ready platforms and solutions that address sector-specific challenges.
Resonia’s track record is a testament to its ability to deliver complex projects using cutting-edge technologies. From the use of advanced drones for stringing of transmission lines to the adoption of helicranes for erection of towers, Resonia has always been at the forefront of technological innovation, enabling it to minimize environmental impact and deliver projects ahead of schedule. Resonia continues to invest in various technological interventions to fast track the execution and de-risk the construction from potential labour shortage.
In addition to its technological capabilities, the company was instrumental in launching the first bond issuance by a private power transmission company in the country in 2018 and also pioneered the first Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) in the power sector, further demonstrating its leadership in driving growth and innovation in India’s energy landscape.
About ideaForge Technology Limited
ideaForge is a pioneer and the pre-eminent market leader in the Indian unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry. With a mission-first approach, we deliver cutting-edge drones engineered for unmatched performance, autonomy, and reliability, redefining possibilities in security, mapping, surveillance, and disaster response applications across militaries and enterprises.
With India’s largest operational deployment of indigenous UAVs, an ideaForge drone takes off every 3 minutes, enabling over 6,50,000 successful flights. Ranked 3rd globally among the world’s Top Dual-Use Drone Manufacturers by Drone Industry Insights (DRONEII) Global Drone Review 2024, ideaForge continues to set benchmarks in innovation and excellence.
Since pioneering India’s first VTOL UAVs in 2009, we have expanded with advanced R&D and manufacturing hubs in Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and the USA, driving the development of indigenously designed and built solutions. Backed by marquee investors, including Qualcomm, Infosys, Celesta Capital, Florintree, EXIM Bank, and Infina Finance, ideaForge is at the forefront of revolutionizing unmanned systems.
About Resonia Ltd.
Resonia Limited, formerly known as Sterlite Grid 32 Limited (SGL32), is a leading Indian power transmission company that plays a key role in enhancing the country’s energy infrastructure. With a robust portfolio of over 5,386 circuit kilometres of transmission lines across India, Resonia is dedicated to supporting the integration of renewable energy into the national grid. The company’s agile approach and deep understanding of local regulations ensure that it can navigate the challenges of large-scale infrastructure projects with ease. As Resonia continues to strengthen its position as a leader in the power transmission sector, it remains committed to contributing to India’s ambitious goal of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with a long-term vision of reaching 900 GW by 2032.
The infrastructure business of Sterlite Power Transmission Limited was demerged into Sterlite Grid 5 Limited (‘SGL5’) effective October 08, 2024. SGL5 recently entered in a Joint Venture (“JV”) with GIC of Singapore, following which SGL5 is to execute all its transmission projects in India through Resonia Ltd.
