Deep-tech aerospace firm BonV Aero has received the prestigious SIDM Champion Award (Special Jury), presented by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, for its pioneering defence and disaster-response technology. The recognition highlights an Indian-made innovation that has already proven vital in safeguarding lives across the North East. Earlier this year, when a devastating landslide hit Sikkim’s Lachen region, BonV Aero’s heavy-duty drone equipped with advanced Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) was deployed alongside the Indian Army. The indigenous drone swiftly provided real-time coordinates of possible debris, significantly enhancing the safety and precision of rescue operations.
Co-founder and CEO Satyabrata Satapathy said, “We are building for India’s toughest geographies. The North East is central to our mission. This award validates our effort to bring smarter, faster, and safer aerial mobility to every corner.” He added that the technology would be a game-changer for disaster response and development in the Seven Sisters.
BonV Aero’s innovations are seen as timely, with local enterprises expecting improved supply-chain efficiency, especially in tough terrains. Looking ahead, BonV Aero plans to scale its high-altitude drone network for last-mile delivery of essential goods and aims to introduce a 100 kg medevac drone within two years, followed by a 500 kg STOL drone for inter-city and military transport within three to five years.
