DGCA India and EASA team up on unmanned aircraft systems

In a move set to revolutionize the unmanned aviation sector, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The collaboration focuses on unmanned aircraft and innovative air mobility and is aimed at accelerating growth in this area.

The partnership will encompass areas such as the development of certification standards, environmental standards, and related requirements for the certification and use of unmanned aircraft systems and innovative air mobility operations. This includes the training and licensing of personnel, air traffic management, and infrastructure development, with an emphasis on Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) standards and services.

Moreover, the MoU paves the way for continuous information sharing between DGCA and EASA about technological developments, research initiatives, and outreach strategies related to unmanned aircraft systems and innovative air mobility. The two aviation authorities will further engage in joint activities such as conferences, workshops, and training programs to build capacity and drive innovation in this emerging field.

The collaboration aims to establish harmonized standards that could stimulate the growth of the Indian unmanned aviation sector. The signing of the MoU follows a Letter of Intent (LoI) that DGCA India had signed with EASA during the EU-India Aviation Summit in New Delhi on April 20, 2023. This partnership signifies a significant step in global cooperation and innovation in the fast-evolving unmanned aviation sector.