New Delhi, September 2026 : Garuda Aerospace recently showcased its indigenous defence drone manufacturing, research and development capabilities to the Indian Army’s Design Bureau, highlighting its efforts to strengthen India’s domestic drone ecosystem and support the country’s defence self-reliance drive.
Major General Gopal Kapoor, Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau, visited Garuda Aerospace’s facility in Chennai to review its technology, production infrastructure, localisation initiatives and ongoing defence programmes.
The visit focused on assessing the company’s indigenous manufacturing capabilities and understanding its current and upcoming projects aimed at supporting India’s evolving defence and drone requirements.
During the interaction, Garuda Aerospace presented an overview of its defence programmes, manufacturing infrastructure, research and development initiatives and industry partnerships. The company also highlighted its expanding drone pilot training ecosystem through its Remote Pilot Training Organisations.
The training initiative forms part of a larger proposal submitted to the Chief of Defence Staff to train 80,000 Agniveers across the three services, with the objective of developing skilled manpower for India’s growing drone ecosystem.
The company said these efforts are aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities while creating a trained workforce capable of meeting future operational and technological requirements.
Garuda Aerospace’s Chennai facility, spread across 50,000 square feet, supports the complete drone development cycle, covering design, prototyping, manufacturing, testing and deployment.
The facility is equipped with advanced infrastructure, including injection moulding, industrial-grade 3D printing, battery assembly and testing facilities. The company said its technological capabilities are backed by more than 50 PhD researchers working in specialised areas such as PCB manufacturing, RF antennae, communication systems and Ground Control Stations.
The Army Design Bureau delegation also reviewed Garuda Aerospace’s vulnerability checklist and testing procedures. These processes are conducted in coordination with authorised agencies to ensure compliance with applicable defence standards and requirements.
Major General Kapoor appreciated the company’s efforts towards strengthening India’s indigenous drone manufacturing capabilities. He also acknowledged its investments in infrastructure, technology development and research and development.
During the interaction, he emphasised that indigenisation remains a critical pillar of India’s defence preparedness under the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. The engagement further reinforced the principle of “Design in India, Develop in India and Manufacture in India.”
Garuda Aerospace Founder and CEO Agnishwar Jayaprakash said India’s journey towards greater defence self-reliance would require stronger collaboration among industry, government, academia and the armed forces.
He described the Army Design Bureau’s visit as an important milestone for the company, providing an opportunity to demonstrate its contribution towards developing a more self-reliant and resilient defence ecosystem.
Jayaprakash reiterated Garuda Aerospace’s commitment to the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and India’s ambition to emerge as a global hub for indigenous drone technology and manufacturing.
The engagement underscored the growing importance of domestic drone capabilities in India’s defence preparedness and highlighted the role of industry-led innovation, research and skilled manpower in building a technologically advanced and self-reliant defence ecosystem.
