Latest news with #AeroIndia2025
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From soil to sky: How Garuda's war room is arming India for the drone wars of tomorrow
Operation Sindoor didn't just showcase India's evolving drone capabilities. It also underscored a larger truth — that the very nature of warfare is changing. And in this new landscape, the future belongs to those who prepare, not those who scramble to catch up. When the Indian Army rolled out drones during Operation Sindoor, it wasn't to dazzle with payloads or fly-by firepower. These were not big drones dropping bombs. Instead, they were smaller, smarter, tactical assets operating in silence: scouting routes, mapping terrain, ferrying supplies, and aiding search-and-rescue teams in unforgiving environments. For years, India's defence drone playbook had been limited a mix of foreign imports and basic ISR systems used sparingly. However, Operation Sindoor signalled that India was finally waking up to the idea that drones weren't just sidekicks to traditional warfare. They were becoming central to how wars would be fought — and more importantly, won. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo For Garuda Aerospace , that shift wasn't just a military moment. It was a validation of a slow-burning strategy that's been years in the making. Founded in 2015 by Agnishwar Jayaprakash, a former Indian swimming captain and Harvard Business School graduate, Garuda began as an agri-tech startup. Its drones sprayed fertiliser, mapped villages, inspected infrastructure, and operated in the kinds of civilian spaces most defence players wouldn't even consider. Live Events 'We always thought defence was for the big boys,' Jayaprakash told ET Online. 'We weren't ready for 300-day payment cycles or chasing massive procurement projects. So we built where the problems were immediate.' The firm grew quietly, selling over 4,000 agri-drones and dominating nearly 40% of the domestic market. But over time, something changed. 'We started seeing gaps in the defence sector, parts no one else was touching,' he said. 'Landmine detection, logistics in conflict zones, drones that could carry supplies, detect movement, and even defuse threats.' So Garuda pivoted. Thinking small, acting big At Aero India 2025, Garuda unveiled a range of indigenous defence drone systems: Landmine detection and diffusement drones Rocket-launcher UAVs Loitering munitions Logistics and firefighting UAVs for the SDRF Rescue drones, VR pilot simulators, and a Thales-backed air traffic management system for unmanned skies. Each is part of a growing portfolio aimed not at replacing existing defence systems but complementing them. These aren't headline-grabbing billion-dollar platforms. They're precision tools for complex missions in terrain where human movement is slow or risky. 'We don't focus on areas where people are already big,' Jayaprakash said. 'We look at multi-role drones, ISR systems, and platforms that solve multiple problems, from surveillance to search-and-rescue.' What sets Garuda apart is its conviction in being nimble. Unlike legacy firms, it isn't chasing size. It's building drones that switch roles mid-flight, that can sniff out a buried mine or carry medical kits across a hostile zone. They're investing in underwater and tethered drones. These aren't just prototypes. They're built for fieldwork. The reality check: Preparedness over panic India's awakening to the drone age hasn't been voluntary. It's been reactive. Jayaprakash is frank about it: 'We weren't ready during the initial days of the conflict between India and Pakistan. Many of our drones were getting shot down. Their drones were backed by China, Iran, Turkey and Pakistan and they had better endurance and payload capacity. We were up against a four-on-one attack.' The lesson was hard-hitting. Surveillance drones weren't enough anymore. India needed kamikaze drones, swarm drones, tethered surveillance units, and UAVs that could operate inside urban combat zones and explode on command. 'Until now, we've relied either on high-end imports from countries like Israel, or on low-grade drones built to outdated specs,' he said. 'That has to change.' Operation Sindoor is now being seen as a wake-up call across military planning circles — a moment where India was forced to acknowledge that the drone battlefield is real, and preparation must begin long before the first shot is fired. Manufacturing: Made at home, by design One of the biggest constraints to India's defence readiness has been dependence on foreign imports. Garuda is aggressively cutting that cord. Its Chennai facility — now expanded to 35,000 sq ft — manufactures seven drone subsystems and 33 parts in-house. That's about 80% of each drone built locally. 'To cut dependence on imports, we had to make things ourselves,' said Jayaprakash. 'Geopolitics changes overnight. We don't want to be stuck waiting.' Their roadmap includes a new dedicated defence drone manufacturing unit outside Chennai with a capacity of 15,000 drones per year, aimed at fully integrating motors, batteries, sensors and communications subsystems. The effort is backed by the government's Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and aligns with the national goal of becoming a drone hub by 2030. And it's not just about machines. Garuda also opened India's first Agri-Drone Indigenisation Facility and launched 300 pilot training centres. A DGCA-approved Train-the-Trainer programme ensures there's talent ready to deploy not just hardware. Partnerships that helped build Recognising the steep technical demands of modern defence tech, Garuda has turned to strategic partnerships to amplify its capabilities. Thales brings in cutting-edge radar and UTM systems. Tata Elxsi contributes AI and autonomy for smart-city and combat applications. DRDO, HAL, HFCL, and REIL work on communication, surveillance and R&D. Meanwhile, collaborations with Cognizant, BEML, and international partners like SAS (Greece) have helped fast-track advanced products like rocket-launcher drones and landmine diffusers. 'These partnerships aren't about logos,' Jayaprakash explained. 'They're about reliability. We learn from them. We co-develop. And we ensure the final product is ready for Indian conditions.' But even partnerships have their limits, while R&D in India remains hard, funding is tight, talent is mobile and attrition is high. 'We run a frugal ship. We can't always match salaries offered by the big players. So our best engineers often get poached,' he said. 'That's why partnerships are also our insurance as they keep the project alive even if people change.' The defence drone economy: A new theatre of growth As India wakes up to its strategic vulnerabilities, the defence drone sector is poised to become one of the most vital and volatile parts of the military industrial complex. Yet, the real opportunity may not lie in headline-grabbing billion-dollar contracts, but in the smaller, forgotten parts of warfare: ISR, logistics, detection, post-blast analysis, mine clearing, and disaster response. That's exactly where Garuda wants to play. Quietly, precisely, and with products no one else wants to build. 'Defence is a tough game,' Jayaprakash admits. 'Specs change. Payments are delayed. Overnight someone underbids you. But we've stayed profitable because we chose our entry carefully.' The numbers are starting to show it. Revenues have grown from ₹15 crore in FY22 to over ₹120 crore last year. A ₹100 crore Series B fundraise has pushed their valuation to $250 million. An IPO is in the works. But the mission is far from over. India's defence preparedness can no longer afford to lag behind. Whether it's drones that detect threats or ones that carry the fight forward, the need is no longer optional it's urgent. Operation Sindoor proved one thing: wars of the future will be won not just with brute force, but with better sensors, faster decision-making, and assets that can be deployed in hours, not months.
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First Post
11-07-2025
- Business
- First Post
Beyond US: Why India is likely to turn to UK or France to build fighter jet engines
India is reportedly considering collaborating with either the UK's Rolls-Royce or France's Safran to jointly produce fighter jet engines. The move aligns with New Delhi's push to strengthen its defence manufacturing capacity. It also comes amid delays in engine supplies by US-based General Electric for India's Tejas combat aircraft read more Visitors stand next to a prototype of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India's most advanced stealth fighter jet, at the Aero India 2025 air show at Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru, February 11, 2025. File Photo/Reuters India is seeking partners beyond the United States to develop engines for its fighter jets. New Delhi is reportedly exploring the possibility of collaborating with the United Kingdom's defence manufacturing giant Rolls-Royce or France's Safran to develop combat aircraft engines jointly. The move comes amid delays in engine supplies by US-based General Electric (GE) for India's next-generation Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-2 fighter jet. As regional tensions rise, India is looking to bolster its domestic defence manufacturing capacity and reduce reliance on imports. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Let's take a closer look. UK or France for India's fighter jet engines? India is considering between Rolls-Royce and Safran for joint fighter jet engine production. Both companies have offered to work with the Defence Research & Development Organisation's (DRDO) Bengaluru-based Gas Turbine Research Establishment lab. They have also agreed to share intellectual property rights and Transfer of Technology (ToT), an official told Indian Express. 'Engines are a constraining factor… a strategic decision has to be taken. Both Rolls-Royce and Safran are contenders for the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). A Cabinet note will be prepared from the DRDO side and circulated,' the official said. Rolls-Royce's proposal is to develop a series of high-thrust turbofan engines for transport and civilian aircraft. Sanfran has proposed a prototype obtained from its Rafale fighter's M88 engine family, as per the newspaper's report. The locally-produced engines will power India's AMCA, a twin-engine 5.5-generation stealth fighter which is under development. The combat aircraft, with a thrust class of 110-130 kN, is expected to have its first flight by 2029-2030 and induction by 2035. The initial AMCA prototypes and the Mk1 variant of the fighter jet will have the GE F414 engines. The engines developed in India are likely to be used for the AMCA Mk2 variant, reported Indian Express. In May, Bloomberg had reported that India was mulling collaborating with the UK, France and Japan for producing its fighter jet engines. Why India is looking beyond US for fighter jet engines The delays in the delivery of the F404-IN20 engine by GE Aerospace to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd to power the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk 1A fighter jet have led India to diversify partnerships beyond the US. The Boston-based engine manufacturer attributed the delays to restarting the production line, which was hit due to COVID-19. The Indian Air Force (IAF) HAL Tejas fighter jet performs during Aero India 2025, a military aviation exhibition at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on February 12, 2025. File Photo/AFP 'The Tejas engine delays were caused by supply chain issues faced by the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer GE Aerospace). There is a need to have greater control of the engine procurement. As was done in the case of marine engines (with Kirloskar), the idea is to develop a local supply base for aircraft engines and we will do everything to develop an ecosystem here,' the official told Indian Express. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India has been in talks with General Electric since 2023 to jointly make GE F414 engines. However, there is no progress yet. In May, India Air Force (IAF) Chief Amar Preet Singh raised serious concerns about delays in procuring critical weapons. 'Not for a single project that I can think of that been completed on time,' he said, underlining the need for India to design, develop, and produce weapons indigenously in greater numbers. By seeking defence partners beyond the US for jointly making fighter jet engines, New Delhi aims to close capability gaps amid regional tensions, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. India also wants to modernise its air force by purchasing advanced combat aircraft from overseas and strengthening its Make-in-India initiative in defence through joint projects with leading global arms manufacturers. Its goal to produce jet engines showcases its efforts to secure the supply chain for key defence equipment, which, Bloomberg noted, is a major takeaway from Russia's prolonged war with Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, seeking partners outside the US is not a snub to Washington or a sign of strained ties, but India's understanding of securing reliable supply chains. The move also reflects the changing realities post-Operation Sindoor. The IAF is in want of more fighter jets in large numbers, defence sources said to Moneycontrol in May_._ While the force plans to have 42 fighter squadrons, it currently has 31 squadrons. The military strikes with Pakistan in May have increased concerns over delays in the supply of crucial technology and reliance on foreign partners. 'India is looking for all available options,' a top defence source said at the time. With inputs from agencies
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Addressing IAF's fighter aircraft conundrum
Jun 26, 2025 09:00 AM IST The Indian Air Force (IAF) plays a critical role in securing India amidst a world in flux. For this massive task, India must possess indigenously produced fighter aircraft engines to power its fighter aircraft variants over the next 50 years without falling into undue dependency on foreign suppliers. As the timely delivery of fighter aircraft to the IAF is linked to the security of supply chains, this brief underlines the need for both the development of indigenous capabilities and technological collaboration to proceed simultaneously. Equally important is the creation of indigenous testing and certification facilities, as well as the transfer of technology. FILE PHOTO: Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter jets fly past during the "Aero India 2021" air show at Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru, India, February 3, 2021. REUTERS/Samuel Rajkumar/File Photo(REUTERS) India's neighbourhood is fraught with military challenges and the strategic collaboration between China and Pakistan is deepening. Additionally, China is producing large numbers of the fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighter aircraft, as reports are emerging of Pakistan acquiring fifth-generation fighter aircraft from China. These developments have lent increased urgency to meeting the needs of the IAF, especially since several of its existing frontline fighter aircraft will be due for replacement soon. At the Aero India 2025 show in Bengaluru in February this year, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh lamented the delays in the delivery of the Tejas Mk-1 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to the IAF by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The issues that have had an adverse impact on the IAF's operational needs should be viewed against the backdrop of evolving threats and challenges. This paper can be accessed here. This paper is authored by Sujan R. Chinoy – ORF, New Delhi.
Skift
03-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
India's Hotel Boom: Surging Room Revenue and Global Investment
With close to 80 signings and more than 30 openings, the Indian hotel industry had a strong momentum during the first three months of 2025. It remains to be seen how geopolitical disruptions affected the sector in the coming months. India's hotel industry recorded strong growth in the first quarter of 2025, according to real estate firm JLL: The sector's revenue per available room (RevPAR) was up 16.3% year-on-year and 8% from the previous quarter. During the quarter, 79 new hotels were signed with nearly 9,500 keys, and 31 new branded hotels opened, accounting for over 3,200 rooms. Bengaluru alone had a 38.3% year-on-year surge in RevPAR during the January-March quarter, driven by higher occupancy and average daily rates due to the Aero India 2025 event. Delhi and Mumbai both recorded a 20% jump in RevPAR. Increase in Investments: According to the real estate firm, the quarter signals a sustained growth in the accommodation space in India as investor confidence rises. JLL estimates that the country's hotel sector is likely to attract $1 billion in investments by 2028, up from $340 million recorded in hotel transactions last year. 'We are witnessing a transformation in the market that balances immediate performance gains with strategic long-term positioning across all tiers and segments,' said Jaideep Dang, managing director, Hotels and Hospitality Group India at JLL. JLL noted that in the first quarter of the year, notable transaction activity has already taken place: Chalet Hotels acquired 141-key The Westin Resort & Spa, Rishikesh for approximately INR 5.3 billion ($62 million). The investment landscape in the sector is heating up. Last month, Marriott International announced its first direct investment in the Indian hotel sector with a 'small equity investment' in hotel management fir
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India Hospitality Industry: India's Hospitality Industry Sees RevPAR Surge of 16.3% in Q1 2025, ET TravelWorld
Advt Advt By , ETTravelWorld Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest insights & analysis. Download ETTravelWorld App Get Realtime updates Save your favourite articles Scan to download App India's hospitality industry showed continued momentum in the first quarter of 2025, with Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) growing by 16.3 per cent year-on-year and 8 per cent compared to the previous quarter, according to the latest data from JLL. The report reflects both strong domestic travel activity and increasing investor recorded the highest RevPAR growth at 38.3 per cent , fuelled by high demand during the Aero India 2025 event. Delhi and Mumbai also showed strong performance, with RevPAR increases of 26.2 per cent and 21.3 per cent respectively. Chennai reported 18.7 per cent growth, supported by events like the Annual Leather Fair and USICON 2025. Hyderabad posted 15.1 per cent growth, largely driven by rates despite a marginal dip in quarter saw the addition of 31 branded hotels, contributing 3,253 keys to the market. Additionally, 79 new hotels were signed during the period, representing 9,478 upcoming rooms. These figures underscore the sector's expanding footprint and sustained investor to JLL, the Indian hospitality industry is projected to attract USD 1 billion in investments by 2028, up significantly from the USD 340 million recorded in hotel transactions in 2024. Among Q1's notable deals was Chalet Hotels Limited's acquisition of The Westin Resort & Spa, Rishikesh for approximately INR 530 quarter also featured strategic brand expansion, including Hilton's partnership with NILE Hospitality to bring 75 Hampton-branded hotels to India. Initial openings are expected in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Bihar by 2026.'India's hospitality sector continues to demonstrate exceptional resilience and growth potential, with Q1 2025 showing remarkable RevPAR growth across major markets, particularly Bengaluru's impressive 38.3 per cent increase,' said Jaideep Dang, Managing Director, Hotels and Hospitality Group, India, JLL. 'The robust pipeline of 79 new hotel signings this quarter reflects strong investor confidence in India's hospitality fundamentals.'The combination of strong short-term performance and a growing long-term pipeline indicates a positive trajectory for the sector as it aligns with broader economic development and evolving travel demand.
