Kothari Industrial Corporation Ltd (KICL), the flagship company of the D.C. Kothari Group, has secured Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Type Certification for its KOAIR-10L agricultural spraying drone, paving the way for its commercial manufacturing, sale and deployment in India.
The certification was issued on October 9, 2026, following technical evaluation and recommendation by TQ Cert Services Private Ltd, an authorised certification body. The approval was granted under the applicable Certification Scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and the Drone Rules, 2021.
The certification marks a step forward in KICL’s efforts to expand beyond its existing industrial businesses into technology-driven agricultural solutions, targeting the growing demand for precision farming and mechanised crop protection.
Drone designed for precision spraying
The KOAIR-10L is a medium-class, six-rotor electric drone with a 10-litre spray tank and a maximum all-up weight of 30 kg. Equipped with four flat-fan nozzles, it is designed to spray pesticides, fertilisers and plant nutrients with uniform coverage and reduced wastage.
Its safety and navigation features include Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) navigation, Return-to-Home functionality, geo-fencing, detect-and-avoid capability and an autonomous Flight Termination System. A flashing anti-collision strobe light improves visibility during operations.
The drone is certified for Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) operations during daytime and night-time, subject to applicable operational requirements.
With the certification in place, each unit must be accompanied by a certificate of conformity, while manufacturing, sale and deployment will remain subject to relevant regulatory requirements.
Focus on farmer productivity
KICL sees agricultural drones as a means of improving spraying efficiency, reducing labour requirements and limiting farmers’ direct exposure to agrochemicals. The technology could also help ensure more timely application of agricultural inputs, particularly during labour shortages and time-sensitive crop protection cycles.
“We strongly believe none of us can live without the farmer stepping into the field every day, as they are the backbone of the nation,” said Kothari Industrial Corporation Ltd Executive Chairman Dr. Jinnah Rafiq Ahmed.
He said the company ventured into agricultural drone technology to make farming smarter, safer and more cost-effective, while contributing to national progress.
The KOAIR-10L is intended to serve individual farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and agricultural service providers. The certification enables KICL to move towards commercial deployment of its drone platform, strengthening its ambition to provide end-to-end solutions to the farming community.