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Entrepreneur
7 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Defence Startups Zoom Post Operation Sindoor
As defence strategies worldwide shift towards autonomous and intelligent aerial systems, the need of the hour is AI-powered, modular drone ecosystems that can operate with minimal human intervention You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. When Operation Sindoor was striking Pakistan's terror infrastructure in a series a precision strikes, it was more than a strategic success for India. It was an event that validated the prowess of India's defence ecosystem and startups that have seen a major boost in the aftermath of the war. This boom has led to increased funding, investment, and a renewed focus on indigenous defence manufacturing. For instance, Zuppa Geo Navigation Technologies, touted as India's only deep-tech drone company specializing in cyber-secure autonomous systems, experienced a 10-fold jump in its order pipeline during May 2025. "Today, our order pipeline of around ₹14 crore has seen close to a 10x jump from pre operations Sindoor days. This jump can be attributed to the realisation of the need for cyber secure and electronic warfare survivable drones, among the key end use segment of defence. Our patented autopilot system that is fully indigenous from the design and computing architecture level is the only Indian solution that addresses all the security concerns of the defence forces," says Sai Pattabiram, Founder and MD, Zuppa Geo Navigations. Zuppa has recently raised ₹5 crore in strategic funding from Sangam Talks founder Rahul Dewan's Four Pursuits Fund, to fuel the need for secure indigenous defence technologies. "India must future-proof its defence capabilities through homegrown, cyber-resilient technologies. Zuppa's Ajeet Mini and NavGati autopilot stack represent that future. I am excited to support this mission," says Rahul Dewan, Founder of Four Pursuits, a sector-agnostic fund. Zuppa claims that it is among the only seven companies globally – and the sole Indian player – with proprietary autopilot systems built on its patented Disseminated Parallel Control Computing in Real Time (DPCC) architecture. This cutting-edge cyber-physical stack powers the company's flagship Ajeet Series drone platforms. Recently validated by the Indian Army at multiple locations including high-altitude zones above 11,000 feet, the Ajeet Mini claims to be India's first indigenous kamikaze/micro-armed drone platform. Additionally, ZUPPA is working closely with the Indian Army to incorporate learning's from Operation Sindoor into its NavGati autopilot and communication systems to create future ready drones for defence that can operate in Electronic Warfare (EW) intensive and contested environments. "Over the next 12-18 months, Zuppa plans to establish itself as a supplier of cyber secure and EW resistant drones to the Indian defence while expanding its product range and offerings across a wide range of applications and use cases. Having done so, ZUPPA shall expand its geographical foot print across the world for the entire range of cyber secure and EW resistant drones especially to friendly countries in Africa, MENA etc.," says Pattabiram. Soaring New Heights The market capitalization of 18 listed Indian defence companies reached record highs in the range of ₹11 lakh crore in the days after May 7 when Operation Sindoor was initiated. The rise was driven by strong investor confidence, rising geopolitical tensions, and government support for indigenous defence manufacturing. The Nifty India Defence Index has emerged as the top performing sector so far surging about 40 per cent in the last five months, a clear indicator that the sector is seen as a promising long-term opportunity, backed by rising defence budgets, growing export interest, and sustained policy focus under the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives. In an era of fast-evolving conflicts and unmanned combat, drones have emerged as the decisive force in modern warfare. From targeted loitering strikes to autonomous surveillance missions across the globe, drones have redefined how nations assert dominance and secure their borders. The current war landscape demands speed, precision, and decision-making without latency – something traditional warfare systems cannot deliver. As defence strategies worldwide shift towards autonomous and intelligent aerial systems, the need of the hour is clear: AI-powered, modular drone ecosystems that can operate with minimal human intervention while adapting dynamically to battlefield scenarios. Rising to this challenge, Aerpace Industries Ltd, in collaboration with Aerpace Robotics, UAV Tech, and Leospear Defence, has successfully developed and tested India's next-generation smart UAV ecosystem under the aerShield initiative. Each partner brings a core capability – AI and flight software from Aerpace Robotics, airframe and propulsion engineering from UAV Tech, and advanced munitions integration from Leospear Defence. At the heart of this ecosystem lies aerOS – an AI-based autonomous drone control platform that enables real-time flight navigation, mission execution, obstacle avoidance, and targeting with surgical precision. "We are not simply building drones; we are shaping a new frontier for India's defence autonomy," says Ravi Soni, Executive Director of Aerpace Industries. "aerShield is a testament to what homegrown innovation can achieve when guided by purpose and urgency. Our teams are committed to ensuring India leads, not follows, in the evolution of AI-driven defence." With testing completed and field integrations underway, Aerpace is set to begin live demonstrations for Indian and allied defence forces. This milestone marks a decisive move toward making India a global hub for smart, indigenous drone warfare systems—redefining the rules of engagement for decades to come. Indrajaal, India's leading autonomous drone defence company, recently launched Indrajaal Infra – a specialised product line designed to safeguard high-value critical infrastructure such as nuclear power plants, oil refineries, ports, airports, and energy grids from drone-based attacks. "Indrajaal Infra offers autonomous, real-time airspace security across vast areas up to 4,000 sq. km. The system integrates AI-driven threat detection with a layered defence approach – combining sensors, spoofers, jammers, and command intelligence – to deliver 24/7 autonomous protection against rogue drones," the company said in a statement. Currently, Indrajaal Infra is already operational at a strategic naval port in Gujarat, following successful trials during recent cross-border escalations. Deployment is also underway at India's largest naval port in Karnataka, signalling a critical step in fortifying India's maritime and industrial defence infrastructure. The launch is especially timely given the recent India-Pakistan conflict, which witnessed an increase in drone-based threats targeting sensitive assets near the western border. While many were intercepted before causing damage, the incidents exposed critical gaps in conventional surveillance and perimeter defences. "Peacetime readiness is wartime insurance. The cost of protecting critical assets today is far lower than the cost of rebuilding them after an attack," says Kiran Raju, Founder and CEO of Indrajaal. "Indrajaal Infra is designed to ensure operational continuity, national resilience, and industrial sovereignty in a rapidly evolving threat environment." Looking Ahead India's defence manufacturing has seen a remarkable transformation in the last few years. In 2023-24, the country recorded its highest ever defence production, touching ₹1.27 lakh crore. This is a sharp rise of 174 per cent compared to ₹46,429 crore in 2014-15. The shift from import dependence to domestic production has been both strategic and swift. With clear political direction and consistent reforms, India has moved towards true self-reliance in defence. The focus has been on developing a strong industrial base anchored in indigenous design and manufacturing. The Ministry of Defence signed 193 contracts worth ₹2,09,050 crore in 2024-25 – the highest ever in a single year. Of these, 177 contracts were awarded to the domestic industry, amounting to ₹1,68,922 crore. Global brokerage Jefferies India anticipates a 2-fold growth in domestic defence spending over FY24-30, which should drive further upside in stocks like Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Data Patterns, and Bharat Electronics (BEL). Despite the growth, India does not have a defence unicorn yet but the prospects are strong. Experts believe more defence unicorns are expected to emerge in the next 3-5 years as India turbocharges its defence ecosystem.
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First Post
04-08-2025
- Business
- First Post
From code to combat: AI-driven drones rewrite battle rules from Op Spider Web to Operation Sindoor
In an insightful conversation with Firstpost, Sai Pattabiram, Founder and CEO of an Indian drone manufacturer company, Zuppa, explained the significance of drones in modern warfare and the challenges that come with it. read more In the span of just a few months, the world witnessed three innovative military operations that changed the dynamics of modern warfare. These missions were: Operation Spider Web, Operation Rising Lion and Operation Sindoor. All these military operations had one thing in common: the use of autonomous drones where AI plays a key role in their trajectories and the actual work of the drones. While the technology has made the war games a level playing field, it has also raised numerous security concerns. In an insightful conversation with Firstpost, Sai Pattabiram, founder and CEO of an Indian drone manufacturer company, Zuppa, explained the significance of drones in modern warfare and the challenges that come with it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Zuppa is a Chennai-based drone manufacturer and seller to the Indian army. Its drones took part in Operation Sindoor India, launched to target nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam terror attack. Pattabiram explained the tech that makes these drones so vital for various services. 'One needs to understand that a drone is unmanned because an embedded electronic motherboard known as the autopilot has replaced the Human pilot,' he said. 'This autopilot consists of both hardware and software layers that enable a user to use it much like a mobile phone or a laptop. This is called the Cyber Physical Stack of the drone, as shown below: Pattabiram mentioned that it is the electronic layer where the automation and AI drone technology are usually built. 'The evolution of drone tech in terms of deployment that has been witnessed across conflicts globally, from Operation Sindoor to Operation Spider Web and everything in between, has been in these layers,' Pattabiram told Firstpost. 'The technology life cycle of innovation happening in this layer has dropped significantly to 8 – 10 weeks. Thus, indicating an innovation in drone use happening every 2-3 months. Much of this evolution that has been witnessed today has been in these layers,' he said. Pattabiram emphasised that the future of drone technology will be its ability to adapt quickly. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD From delivering groceries to delivering bombs In the span of just a few years, there has been an evolution in how drones are being used. From delivering items one purchased online to dropping bombs and turning into suicide bombers. While speaking on the evolution of the use of drones, Pattabiram emphasised that the dual-use technology can deliver anything, be it food or bombs. 'Initially, drones' dual-use technology was not given enough care across the world, not only in India. Nobody looked at it as a dual-use technology. They all looked at it as separate military applications and separate civilian applications,' he told Firstpost. However, Pattabiram also pointed out how these drones can be used by terrorists, raising a security concern. 'Civilians, military and terrorists can use the same thing for three very different purposes. Like a farmer can use a drone for spraying pesticides or nutrients. The military could use it to use a drone to ship material from point A to point B, and the terrorists could use it as a kamikaze mode or even as a bomb dropping,' he said. 'So this dual-use nature of drones is what is now turning out to be a kind of revolution for most of the people in the security apparatus or the security organisations. And this all started primarily with Ukraine using FPV drones.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Zuppa's Kamikaze Micro Drone Ajeet Mini. Image Source: Zuppa 'Now, FPV drones today are known as kamikaze drones. Today we know it as drones which can damage lethally, which can deliver lethal blows, like Operation Spider that happened recently. But FPV drones were never intended to be this,' he explained. 'FPV drones were racing drones. There is an FPV racing league and Ukraine and Russia, both countries, that practically use FPV, flyers, people who do drone racing to fly these drones into war. Drones as Dual-use technology weren't expected and weren't something people thought of,' he added. Ukraine Operation Spider Web: The concerns & opportunities On June 1, 2025, Russia was rocked by a drone attack on its key military infrastructure. Ukraine eventually announced that after over one and a half years of planning, they had conducted what they called 'Operation Spider Web'. In the mission, Ukraine used a whopping 117 drones to strike the Russian airfield. What was shocking was the fact that the strikes were conducted 600 kilometres away from the battleline and 1,000 kilometres away from the Ukrainian border. While speaking to Firstpost, Pattabiram noted that this was the 'first time we saw the use of the remote operational capabilities of the drone.' He also mentioned how Elon Musk's Starlink played a crucial role in the operation. 'While Kamikaze drones themselves haven't changed much since their first use in the Ukraine-Russia war, it's their evolution in terms of deployment that has been changing modern warfare. Like Operation Spider Web was a very innovative use of Kamikaze drones way inside enemy lines,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ukraine's Security Chief Briefs President Zelenskyy on Operation Spider's Web. Image: X/@ZelenskyyUa However, he also stated that the 'true impact of Operation Spider Web is not only on Russia, but it is on the entire global security ecosystem, given the scale and asymmetry of damage it has inflicted in terms of cost and operational preparedness'. 'This operation has galvanised the former Indian Army Chief to state that the Entire Country is now a battlefield thanks to the scale of this operation,' he said. Not something new Another point on which Pattabiram emphasised was the fact that 'such a kind of operation has not happened in India. 'In India, if you see, we have had the Jammu air base attack in 2021. Which again was possibly by a locally operated drone. Possibly even locally assembled using locally available material. Means material within India,' he said. 'So the Operation Spider Web has woken up the security apparatus across the world. This Operation is going to change the way people look at drones. The way people operate drones in war as well,' he said. Open source code and the risks of hijacks One of the key aspects of the Operation Spider Web is the fact that Ukraine used open-source codes to develop the drones that ultimately struck the Russian airfield. However, if the easily available codes fall into the wrong hands, the impact would be detrimental. While raising concerns over the matter, Pattabiram recalled the hijacking of an Indian drone back in August 2024. 'The drone was taken over on the 23rd of August 2024 by Pakistan, and it's not like that was the first time it's happened, it's happened before as well. A lot of this can be directly attributed to the use of open source code,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD SBU chief Lt. Gen. Vasyl Maliuk is standing beside a schematic map of the operation. @SBUkr 'The code layer of a drone is where the vulnerability of hacking or the vulnerability of misuse lies. The code can be downloaded from GitHub, and it can be used, and the commands can be directly given to the drone to hack. So, considering this open-source code is a major risk from a security perspective,' he explained. The need for a regulatory framework When asked how the risk can be tackled, Pattabiram suggested innovative ideas. 'The key is that there is a lot of learning that is possible from the telecom sector. Chinese phones that were sold here without IMEI numbers. Which meant there was no traceability of the phone. So they could be misused for various things, and nobody knows where it is. Now, today the drone is in the same status. Despite the civilian drone regulation having been in place since 1921. For the last 4 years, nobody knows where a drone is operating or who is operating,' he averred. 'So, considering this, DGCA has a digital sky on which you can register a drone. But there is something beyond the online portal on which you register, and you get one thing called a UIN number. So the regulatory framework has a very simple thing to be done, i.e. using the telecom as a learning point.' 'So all they need to do is completely stop the import of autopilots and then introduce SIM cards into every autopilot in India. So that every SIM card has an IMEI number. And it has an IMEI number, which is your subscriber number. This way, you can trace the drone from the telecom network to where it is. Who is operating it, and the moment you have got the IMEI number, and you have done a KYC for it, you know who owns the drone,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When it comes to imported autopilots, Pattabiram said that those drones need to be controlled. 'It should not be an open item. A drone autopilot cannot be imported under OGL or a general licence. There should be specific people who are allowed and authorised to import it based on licensing. And the second is that all autopilots need to have a SIM card on them. If this is done, then I think one can get rid of a lot of problems. The first drone war in South Asia: India-Pak conflict While the Indian and Pakistani military clashed with each other on numerous occasions, the conflict that erupted following the devastating Pahalgam attack saw drones taking the centre stage. 'Operation Sindoor was the first time a totally non-contact remote war played out in the subcontinent, with neither side crossing either the IB or the LOC. This was possible primarily on account of the deployment of remote technologies like drones and missiles,' Pattabiram said. 'Having said that, it is important to note the fact that the small drone war has been happening even before Operation Sindoor, with Pakistan violating lower-level Indian airspace over the past couple of years, every day by sending hundreds of drones to deliver drugs, small arms, explosives, etc. This war is interestingly continuing even after May 10th 2025.' A debate will take place in the Upper House of Parliament over India's Operation Sindoor. Representational Image 'The importance of addressing and building capabilities for this particular type of low intensity, dispersed, highly asymmetric war is one of the biggest learning's from Operation Sindoor. This is exactly the kind of warfare that is stretching out the Ukraine-Russia war for over three years now. The Israel-Iran war and the Israel-Houthi wars are other such conflicts that are stretching out. The result of such stretched-out, open-ended conflicts can be both costly and debilitating to the economies of the countries involved,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pattabiram emphasised that India needs to build capabilities and abilities to block enemy drones from coming to India. Mentioning how Pakistan often uses drones to send drugs within the Indian borders, he called for finding ways to neutralise these threats. A general view of a damaged portion of a building, after it was hit by an Indian strike, in Muridke near Lahore, Pakistan, May 7. Jain played a big part in Operation Sindoor. Reuters AI & Drones During the conversation with Firstpost, Pattabiram noted that AI automation is going to be the future of drones. 'The question of trying to operate them manually is not going to be feasible. The skill level required to fly this kind of FPV drone takes years for somebody to build into that kind of capability. Due to this, it is not scalable as well,' he said. 'It needs to be AI-based. It needs to have self-autonomous capabilities, which do not exist. But looks like many of the countries and many of the companies, including us, are also working along those lines in terms of autonomous AI and Machine learning is being infused into drones,' he asserted, emphasising that the integration of AI and drones is an 'unavoidable future'. So, the swarm drone concept is another concept that is going to be very, very strong going forward. The only thing that you will see grow going forward is the technology content, and the way the technology is used is going to start scaling very well,' he said. Operation Rising Lion: Are drone bases new sleeper cells? After Israel conducted Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities, it was revealed that Mossad had drone bases within Iranian territory. It was from these bases that they activated the drones and conducted the strikes on military and nuclear facilities in Iran. While talking about the operation, Pattabiram compared setting up drone bases within enemy territory to setting up sleeper cells or deploying terrorists on foreign land. 'It is more on the lines of a terrorist operation. So it is like you are having terrorists within the country, within the enemy country, and you are operating those sleeper cells,' he said. 'In some ways, it is very similar to a sleeper cell concept. And that is exactly what Ukraine and Israel, or Mossad, did. They have activated certain existing assets in terms of people within the other country. This is very, very similar to what has been happening in India. In terms of Pahalgam, or in terms of Patankot or in terms of Bombay, 26-11. Now, in the terrorist case it is human, in this case it is a drone. But the basic concept is the same,' he said. Pattabiram emphasised that the only way to counter these attacks would be the same way one works on counter terrorism measures. 'So it is a counter terrorism and counterinsurgency kind of scenario that has to be used for something like this. Now, one of the ways of figuring it out is controlling the availability of material to be able to activate these things. And the second is legitimacy in terms of seeing who is using this material, who is buying this material,' he explained. Are drones replacing battle tanks? Over the decades, the rules of warfare have evolved significantly. From the use of horses to battle tanks. Then missiles came into play, making countries target each other irrespective of the distance. However, the three operations that rocked the world in the span of a few weeks beg one question: Are drones replacing battle tanks? When Firstpost asked this question, Pattabiram said drones are being used for the first time as a 'de-escalatory asymmetric'. 'When a war moved from a horse to a tank, the tank was far more expensive than a horse. But still, people took it because it offered certain strong advantages over a horse. When it moved from propeller planes to jet planes, jet planes were far ahead of propeller planes in terms of capabilities. So even though it was higher in terms of cost, people adopted it because it delivered asymmetric impact to the forces,' he explained. When bombs evolved into missiles, a similar kind of asymmetry happened where the cost escalated, but the impact also escalated. But drones are the first time in the history of warfare where it has gone the other way around. Where the cost has reduced, but the impact has increased.' 'So, thereby enabling larger deployment of drones, covering larger areas and being cost-effective, they are a de-escalative asymmetry which delivers a higher impact,' he added. To support his assertion, Pattabiram gave an example of how to take down a tank with millions of dollars of Russian bombers, Ukraine just used $2,000 drones. 'So, where this also plays is now if somebody were to use missiles to stop drones, then you are stopping a $2000 drone with a $2 million missile. When it comes to that kind of equation, it can bleed a country,' he said. Can drones be a deterrent in war as nuclear weapons have been? When asked if drones can be given the same stature as nuclear weapons for deterrence in war, Pattabiram emphasised that while drones can be solid levellers, they are not deterrents and the impact is not as significant as a nuclear weapon. 'The drones are turning out to be more of irritants and more of psychological players, rather than being something like an impact player, like nuclear weapons,' Pattabiram said. 'Nuclear weapons have more of an impact as a deterrent. Whereas drones are turning out to be more than something, they start affecting people psychologically as well as people, keep irritating and chipping away.' 'So nuclear is something like, one hard bang. This is something that gives a thousand cuts. So, drones and nuclear weapons can't be compared to that extent; one is kind of destructive in one shot. So there is a difference between the two,' he concluded. While drones might not be as lethal as nuclear weapons, one thing remains clear: they will be at the centre stage of modern warfare.
Mint
08-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
India's drone industry grows rapidly but faces critical rare-earth magnet dependency
Sakshi Sadashiv India is swiftly expanding its drone manufacturing ecosystem, driven by increased defence demands, supportive government policies, and a burgeoning startup scene. The motors used in drones are made from rare-earth magnets, typically smaller brushless DC motors. Gift this article India's drone ecosystem is ramping up local manufacturing amid rising defence demand and policy push, and a swelling base of domestic startups. While there's growing domestic capability in airframes, batteries, and software, critical components such as flight controllers, sensors, and motors continue to be largely import-dependent. India's drone ecosystem is ramping up local manufacturing amid rising defence demand and policy push, and a swelling base of domestic startups. While there's growing domestic capability in airframes, batteries, and software, critical components such as flight controllers, sensors, and motors continue to be largely import-dependent. A key vulnerability lies in the reliance on rare earth magnets—essential for high-performance drone motors, which India currently lacks the capacity to produce at scale, industry executives said. With China tightening export controls on these magnets, especially for defence applications, industry executives warn this could become a bottleneck in India's goal of building a fully self-reliant drone manufacturing ecosystem. The motors used in drones are made from rare-earth magnets, typically smaller brushless DC motors. 'There are ongoing efforts to identify alternative options—both in terms of materials and designs—and to determine what can be used in place of Chinese-sourced rare earth magnets," said Sai Pattabiram, founder and MD of Zuppa, a drone-tech startup. Garuda Aerospace invested in the company this year, and it is also backed by MapmyIndia. Government support Currently, India is home to 515 drone-related companies, with 263 focused specifically on component manufacturing. In terms of funding, drone startups secured $108 million in 2024 and have already raised $39 million in 2025, according to Tracxn data. India is also set to roll out a $234 million incentive scheme aimed at boosting domestic production of drones for both civil and defence use, according to aReutersreport. Moreover, the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, along with initiatives like the defence ministry's iDEX and Technology Development Fund (TDF), has created a fertile ground for companies to invest in R&D and ramp up manufacturing. Drone companies interviewed by Mint echoed the sentiment that these schemes are not merely financial boosts, but strategic signals that India is committed to building a globally competitive drone ecosystem. Yet, India's reliance on foreign suppliers—particularly for magnets—has emerged as a serious issue. 'In India, most motors used in drones are permanent magnet motors, which rely on rare earth magnets. Unfortunately, there are currently no alternative suppliers for these magnets," said Srihari Mulgund, partner and New-Age Mobility leader, EY-Parthenon. 'There is currently no domestic source for drone-grade magnets in India. We need to start figuring this out, especially given the current situation," he said. With defence applications flagged by foreign suppliers, access to these critical parts becomes even harder. 'If the end use is defence-related, then suppliers—especially from China—won't ship the parts. That's a serious roadblock. You're essentially stuck if the supplier flags your application as defence," Mulgund added. In June, China issued six-month export licenses for select rare-earth materials following trade talks with the US, but continued to block exports of magnets intended for defence use, maintaining restrictions on military-grade components. 'Even automotive companies are struggling to secure these magnets—so how can drone companies expect to fare better?" Mulgund said. Rare-earth alternatives Currently, there is no viable recycling mechanism, and substituting with ferrite magnets or soft magnetic composites is not feasible, he added. These alternatives do not offer the same performance characteristics—such as magnetic strength, weight efficiency, or thermal stability—required for high-end drone applications. Moreover, manufacturers don't stock large inventories. 'Demand is relatively low, as drones aren't high-volume products; much of the production is order-driven. Companies typically receive an order first and then procure parts, operating largely on a just-in-time basis," Mulgund said. Substitutes like ferrite magnets and soft magnetic composites exist but offer significantly lower magnetic strength, making them unsuitable for drones that require compact, high-efficiency components, according to Mulgund. Yet investor appetite is evolving. As localisation deepens and strategic relevance grows, long-term capital is beginning to flow in. Recently, Raphe mPhibr raised $100 million, the largest fundraising effort in India's drone sector to date. However, CEO Vivek Mishra clarified that the funding isn't for a single product but will go toward expanding both R&D and manufacturing capacities—it is not tied to a specific product like drones. Also Read: How new rules may change your app-cab rides The startup started in 2017 with a modest 2,000-square-foot research space. Later, it scaled up to a 100,000 sq ft integrated research and manufacturing facility, which has now expanded to a 650,000 sq ft facility. The company serves over 10 Indian government clients, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and armed police forces. Mishra said that the company has sold over 400 drones in the past 12 months alone. On the rare earth magnet front, Mishra said the company has been actively working with authorities and advocating for indigenous manufacturing. 'Things have been moving, but they've picked up pace over the last couple of months. We are now setting up local manufacturing for these magnets as well. For a few months, there might be certain problems—but it's solvable," he toldMint. Defence capabilities 'There's growing investment in drone manufacturing in India, but there's no magic bullet—you can't just pump in money and expect startups to suddenly make everything indigenous," said Pushkar Singh, co-founder of investment firm Tremis Capital. 'The government is now focusing on manufacturing simpler, less complex components locally, as making high-precision components requires machining expertise we currently lack." Less complex components—such as frames, casings, or basic assemblies—are easier and quicker to manufacture compared to high-precision components, which demand advanced machining skills, tighter tolerances, and specialised equipment India is still developing. He added that while Indian startups are unlikely to make missiles or tanks, drones represent a strategic sweet spot, especially with rising demand in modern warfare. 'Modern warfare is shifting towards drones. The government wants to reduce dependency and boost exports. Many smaller countries can't afford fighter jets or missiles, but they can afford drones. That creates massive export potential for Indian startups." Mumbai-based IdeaForge says it has already built a fully proprietary autopilot stack—meaning all flight control software and systems have been developed in-house, without using any third-party or open-source code. 'We have written the software for our autopilot from the ground up. The PCB (printed circuit board), which connects and powers key electronic components, is also our own design—and we ensure that microcontrollers (chips that control drone functions), don't come from geographies of concern (countries that may pose security or trade risks)," said Ankit Mehta, co-founder of IdeaForge. He added that, depending on the product, their drones are around 70% indigenously built. US, Europe, Japan, Australia, and India have already begun allocating significant resources to rebuild rare-earth supply chains and reduce their dependence on China. Australia's Lynas Rare Earths has ramped up production, while the US has designated rare earths as critical minerals and is channelling funding into domestic mining and refining. Globally, countries are also investing in recycling technologies to recover rare earths from electronic waste and advancing R&D to develop magnet alternatives and reduce overall rare-earth usage in high-tech applications. 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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.
