Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur

Puttur, Feb 9: A young innovator from Puttur has designed a drone capable of carrying a single person and equipped with a machine gun, which has been handed over to the Indian Army.

The highly advanced and precise drone has been developed by Konark Rai, a resident of Kajemaru, Thingaladi, in Puttur taluk. Aimed at enhancing soldier safety and strengthening national security, the armed drone has been specifically designed to aid counter-terrorism and anti-Naxal operations. The drone has been developed in alignment with the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

At present, drones are primarily used for weapons transportation. This newly developed drone can be equipped with a high-capacity 9mm ‘Asmi’ machine gun, which maintains exceptional stability while ensuring precise targeting.

During the test demonstration on January 26 and 27, 2025, the drone successfully fired rounds from the Asmi machine gun while maintaining uninterrupted stability. It demonstrated accurate targeting while in flight, reached direct aerial targets, and exhibited remarkable steadiness both in the air and on the ground. The drone successfully flew for 45 to 60 minutes, covering a distance of 15 to 30 km. A demonstration and trial are scheduled to take place with the National Rifles Division in Kashmir.

Konark Rai, the inventor, hails from Kajemaru, Thingaladi, and is the son of K Pramod Kumar Rai, former managing director of Campco, and Shobha Rai. He founded Rudram Dynamics Private Limited in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, through which the drone has been developed. The drone is expected to be highly beneficial in anti-Naxal operations.

"I am committed not only to an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) but also to an ‘Aatma Rakshit Bharat’ (self-defensive India)," says Konark Rai Kajemaru.