Latest news with #AgnishwarJayaprakash
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Garuda Aerospace secures export licence, eyes drone exports to US, Australia, and Middle East
Indian drone manufacturer Garuda Aerospace has secured an export licence , paving the way for its entry into the United States, Australia, and Middle Eastern markets. This move marks a significant step in the company's global expansion strategy and reinforces India's ambitions under the 'Make in India' initiative to become a hub for advanced drone technologies. The company plans to initially focus on exporting its flagship Garuda Kisan Drone, tailored for precision agriculture and agri-tech services. These drones will cater to rising demand in agricultural regions such as the US and Australia. In the Middle East, the company is targeting security and surveillance applications, the company's statement said. 'This export license is a monumental step in our journey to becoming a leading global drone exporter ,' said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace. 'It reflects our commitment to diversifying revenue streams beyond India and gaining an early-mover advantage in emerging drone markets.' The expansion into international markets follows the company's successful foray into Sri Lanka. Garuda has already established partnerships with major international players, including Elbit Systems, Lockheed Martin, Cognizant, Thales, and SAS Greece. The company has plans to scale operations to at least 50 countries in the coming years.
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.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Garuda Aerospace bags contracts from state govts for AI-powered drone solutions
Drone technology firm Garuda Aerospace on Thursday said it has secured multiple contracts from various government departments in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand for its AI-powered drone solutions . The tenders in the mining sector, which come on the back of the company's engagement with Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd, include various works like annual surveys, creating digital databases for mine closure planning and preparing survey maps, among others, Garuda Aerospace said. Besides securing contracts from Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited (GMDC) and the Central Mine Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI), Garuda Aerospace has also won tenders from Tamil Nadu's Department of Geology and Mining (DGM) and Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), it added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 1 sorbo (antes de dormir) limpia el hígado y reduce la grasa abdominal Lulutox Undo In addition to this, it has also secured tenders from Jharkhand Exploration and Mining Corporation Limited (JEMCL). These agreements cover drone-based survey and monitoring of mine leases nationwide, the firm said. Live Events As part of these agreements, the company will provide annual surveys for detailed imagery and elevation models, quarterly updates on mine conditions (face, roads, slopes, dumps), and comprehensive data processing. The company will also create digital databases for mine closure planning and prepare survey maps, covering both existing and new lease areas for clients like the DGM of Tamil Nadu and GMDC. "These recent contract wins are a testament to the advanced capabilities of our drones. This represents a significant boost to our revenue stream, propelling our multi-million dollar growth. "More than just financial milestones, these contracts powerfully affirm the immense trust placed in our Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) model by both government and private entities," Garuda Aerospace founder and CEO Agnishwar Jayaprakash said. Garuda Aerospace already has six DGCA approvals in place for drone manufacturing and training. This consistent securing of high-value contracts and tenders signifies the increasing adoption of the company's Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) model, which offers clients a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solution for high-precision drone-based services, the company said.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tamil Nadu emerging as key contributor in manufacturing drones for the armed forces, and other electronic defence systems
The Union govt referred to Operation Sindoor, India's retaliatory strike to the Pahalgam terror attack, as a milestone in the nation's journey towards technological self-reliance in military operations — in drone warfare, layered air defence, and electronic warfare. The operation significantly boosted demand for drones manufactured by indigenous companies. Projections peg the size of the Indian drone market to hit $11 billion by 2030, accounting for 12.2% of the global drone market. The ban on imported drones and the launch of the PLI scheme for drones and drone components, notified by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Sept 30, 2021, with a total incentive of ₹120 crore spread over three Financial Years (FYs), are laying the groundwork for India making huge strides in the drone ecosystem. Tamil Nadu is emerging as a key contributor in manufacturing drones for the armed forces, as well as building broader electronic defence systems, including UAV jammers and sophisticated payload delivery systems. The state has notable companies, both startups and veterans, such as Dhaksha, Garuda Aerospace, Zuppa Geo Navigation, ePlane company, Big Bang Boom, Data Patterns, all of which are building strategic UAVs and related technologies. Many of these firms, which had quietly developed defence-grade technologies over the years, are now seeing a surge in interest and keeping them busy with product demonstrations on field in crucial areas. Sai Pattabiram, founder and managing director of Zuppa, which is making small drones and autopilots, says they received 5X increase in order enquiries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. "The way drones were predominantly considered as a tool for surveillance has now changed," he said. Zuppa works closely with the ministry of defence and army units to develop systems suitable for the specific terrains and mission conditions. Garuda Aerospace, traditionally known for agricultural drones, is focussing on defence applications in recent months. "We are developing eight different drone platforms and collaborating with global players such as Lockheed Martin and Thales," said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, founder and CEO. "We have participated in emergency procurement rounds and held about 40 field demonstrations. Our focus now is to design based on ground-level operational needs and co-develop with defence forces." Tamil Nadu is not the only drone manufacturing hub in India. The drone ecosystem is spread in peninsular India, spanning Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra, which benefit from the presence of public sector giants like HAL and DRDO. However, Tamil Nadu is attempting to close the gap. Since 2022, the state has ramped up its policy and infrastructure support for the sector. Wing Commander P Madhusoodhanan, vice president of Aerospace and Defence at TIDCO, and CEO of TN UAV corporation, said, "The drone industry is at an inflection point. With military procurement expanding, we expect greater scale and sustainability." The ministry of defence is setting up four UAV testing and certification facilities near Sriperumbudur, expected to be operational by year-end. He said that these centres are focused on unmanned systems, electronic warfare and electro-optics, among the few of their kind in India and will reduce the testing cost in the state and spearhead development. TN companies' role extends beyond making drones. Dr Shivaraman Ramaswamy, CTO of Big Bang Boom Solutions, which has artificial intelligence and EW capabilities, said demand for its anti-drone systems is rising. He further said the state has a suitable environment for manufacturing defence systems, with the advantage of using electronics manufacturing service and fabrication from engineering firms. The presence of one of the country's two defence corridors, expertise in auto, aerospace and electronics manufacturing, vibrant research by educational institutions such as MIT, IIT-M, huge capacity for training drone pilots and training the trainers puts TN in a sweet spot in defence drones. Yet, challenges persist. The lack of indigenous supply chains remains a concern. Executives TOI spoke to said the union govt should hold more consultation with the companies doing actual work and urged the state govt to facilitate consultation. Many press the need for handholding by armed forces in designing and developing the technologies as more important than subsidies.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tamil Nadu emerging as key contributor in manufacturing drones for the armed forces, and other electronic defence systems
The Union govt referred to Operation Sindoor, India's retaliatory strike to the Pahalgam terror attack, as a milestone in the nation's journey towards technological self-reliance in military operations — in drone warfare, layered air defence, and electronic warfare. The operation significantly boosted demand for drones manufactured by indigenous companies. Projections peg the size of the Indian drone market to hit $11 billion by 2030, accounting for 12.2% of the global drone market. The ban on imported drones and the launch of the PLI scheme for drones and drone components, notified by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Sept 30, 2021, with a total incentive of Rs 120 crore spread over three Financial Years (FYs), are laying the groundwork for India making huge strides in the drone ecosystem. Tamil Nadu is emerging as a key contributor in manufacturing drones for the armed forces, as well as building broader electronic defence systems, including UAV jammers and sophisticated payload delivery systems. The state has notable companies, both startups and veterans, such as Dhaksha, Garuda Aerospace, Zuppa Geo Navigation, ePlane company, Big Bang Boom, Data Patterns, all of which are building strategic UAVs and related technologies. Many of these firms, which had quietly developed defence-grade technologies over the years, are now seeing a surge in interest and keeping them busy with product demonstrations on field in crucial areas. Sai Pattabiram, founder and managing director of Zuppa, which is making small drones and autopilots, says they received 5X increase in order enquiries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. "The way drones were predominantly considered as a tool for surveillance has now changed," he said. Zuppa works closely with the ministry of defence and army units to develop systems suitable for the specific terrains and mission conditions. Garuda Aerospace, traditionally known for agricultural drones, is focussing on defence applications in recent months. "We are developing eight different drone platforms and collaborating with global players such as Lockheed Martin and Thales," said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, founder and CEO. "We have participated in emergency procurement rounds and held about 40 field demonstrations. Our focus now is to design based on ground-level operational needs and co-develop with defence forces. " Tamil Nadu is not the only drone manufacturing hub in India. The drone ecosystem is spread in peninsular India, spanning Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra, which benefit from the presence of public sector giants like HAL and DRDO. However, Tamil Nadu is attempting to close the gap. Since 2022, the state has ramped up its policy and infrastructure support for the sector. Wing Commander P Madhusoodhanan, vice president of Aerospace and Defence at TIDCO, and CEO of TN UAV corporation, said, "The drone industry is at an inflection point. With military procurement expanding, we expect greater scale and sustainability." The ministry of defence is setting up four UAV testing and certification facilities near Sriperumbudur, expected to be operational by year-end. He said that these centres are focused on unmanned systems, electronic warfare and electro-optics, among the few of their kind in India and will reduce the testing cost in the state and spearhead development. TN companies' role extends beyond making drones. Dr Shivaraman Ramaswamy, CTO of Big Bang Boom Solutions, which has artificial intelligence and EW capabilities, said demand for its anti-drone systems is rising. He further said the state has a suitable environment for manufacturing defence systems, with the advantage of using electronics manufacturing service and fabrication from engineering firms. The presence of one of the country's two defence corridors, expertise in auto, aerospace and electronics manufacturing, vibrant research by educational institutions such as MIT, IIT-M, huge capacity for training drone pilots and training the trainers puts TN in a sweet spot in defence drones. Yet, challenges persist. The lack of indigenous supply chains remains a concern. Executives TOI spoke to said the union govt should hold more consultation with the companies doing actual work and urged the state govt to facilitate consultation. Many press the need for handholding by armed forces in designing and developing the technologies as more important than subsidies.
