The partnership aims to cut high-performance drone camera costs by 50-60%, with MicroCon exclusively supplying ISR payloads and EO/IR seekers, making advanced surveillance technology more affordable for India’s defence and industrial sectors
In a significant step towards strengthening India’s self-reliance in defence technology, Paras Defence and Space Technologies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Israel’s MicroCon Vision to locally manufacture high-end Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) payloads for drones. This partnership aims to reduce India's dependence on costly imports while making advanced surveillance technology more accessible to defence and commercial sectors.
Currently, high-performance drone cameras are imported at prices ranging from ₹20 lakh to ₹40 lakh per unit. This collaboration is expected to lower costs by 50-60%, ensuring affordable and high-quality ISR payloads for India’s defence forces and industrial applications. Under the agreement, MicroCon Vision will supply ISR payloads and Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) seekers exclusively to Paras Defence, which will serve as its exclusive partner for ISR operations in India.
Boosting India’s drone industry
India’s drone industry is growing at an annual rate of 17%, driven by increasing demand in defence, homeland security, disaster response, and industrial applications. Despite this growth, the high cost of drone cameras remains a significant challenge. By localizing production, this partnership will help bridge the technology gap, ensuring that advanced surveillance capabilities are both cost-effective and widely available.
“This collaboration represents a major leap for India’s defence manufacturing,” said Munjal Sharad Shah, Managing Director of Paras Defence. “Our goal is to make high-end drone surveillance technology more affordable and accessible while strengthening India's strategic capabilities.”
Advancing AI-powered surveillance
The partnership will also bring AI-driven analytics, high-resolution imaging, and thermal vision capabilities to ISR payloads, enhancing their effectiveness for military surveillance, border security, and emergency response operations.
Chen Almog, CEO of MicroCon Vision, emphasized the strategic importance of this agreement, stating, “By partnering with Paras Defence, we aim to bring cutting-edge ISR technology to India and support the country’s growing defence sector. This collaboration aligns with our vision to expand globally through strong regional partnerships.”
As India-Israel defence cooperation deepens, this partnership positions India as a potential global hub for ISR technology, reinforcing the country’s role in shaping the future of defence and aerospace innovation.
