Garuda Aerospace launches five defence drones in Chennai to boost battlefield and rescue capabilities

Garuda Aerospace formally opened its Defence Drone Facility in Thalambur, Chennai, on 22 August 2025. The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, who cut the ribbon and unveiled new technology aimed at strengthening India’s defence and disaster response.

This launch builds on the company’s earlier work in agricultural drones and marks another step towards the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of self-reliance.

Five advanced UAVs introduced

At the inauguration, five new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were presented. These were designed with specific military and disaster-response goals in mind.


The Avalanche Victim Drone will support high-altitude rescue missions. The Swarm Drone is designed for coordinated strikes and surveillance. The Jawan Drone has been created for frontline soldier support and tactical operations. The Canister Dropping Drone will be used for rapid payload delivery in battlefields. Droni 2.0, an upgraded version of the company’s earlier drone, has been built as a multipurpose platform for both defence and civilian applications.

During the event, Sanjay Seth launched the Garuda Raksha Udaan 2025 Impact Book, which documents the company’s journey and contributions to India’s preparedness.

Speaking on the occasion, he said, "Today marks a historic step in India’s journey towards Atmanirbharta in defence and technology with the inauguration of Garuda Aerospace’s world-class drone facility in Chennai. This hub is not just about manufacturing advanced UAV systems; it represents a complete ecosystem of design, R&D, incubation, certification, and production integrating academia, industry, and defence."

He also went on to say, "Inspired by the vision articulated by Shri Rajnath Singhji at the Delhi Defence Dialogue 2024, it demonstrates how indigenous innovation, driven by young engineers and entrepreneurs, can meet India’s modern defence needs while also serving civilian applications in agriculture, disaster management, and infrastructure. The synergy between Agni College of Technology and Garuda Aerospace highlights how technical education, research, and industrial capability can align with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat to build niche technologies, ensure quality standards, and create global leadership in drones. The Ministry of Defence is committed to supporting such initiatives that safeguard our skies, empower our armed forces, and advance India’s position as a future global drone hub."

Training, labs and mobile units

Several new programmes were also announced. A Defence Drone Lab, developed in collaboration with the 13 JAK Rifles in Ladakh and Gwalior, will encourage mission-specific innovation from within the armed forces.

Garuda Aerospace also introduced a Free Remote Pilot Certification (RPC) programme for Indian defence personnel. The first group of soldiers received their certificates at the inauguration.

In addition, the company launched Garuda Akash Raksha Vans (GAR Vans). These will function as mobile drone deployment, maintenance, and repair centres, allowing units in remote locations to access support quickly. Free drone training for the widows of fallen soldiers was also unveiled as part of the company’s social commitment to the defence community.

CEO outlines future goals

Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, said, “At Garuda Aerospace, our mission is to make India self-reliant in defence drone technology. Secure indigenous production, accelerated R&D, and rigorous multi-theatre testing are not just strategies, they are imperatives to safeguard our nation’s sovereignty. By 2027, we aim to ensure that India is not only prepared for the future of drone warfare but is also setting global benchmarks in innovation and reliability.”

To expand its reach further, Garuda Aerospace also laid the foundation stone for a Defence Park in Cheyyur, Tamil Nadu. The 76-acre facility, located along the East Coast Road, will serve as a hub for drone research, manufacturing, and testing.

The park is envisioned as India’s most advanced indigenous site for AI-powered, precision weaponised drone systems, adding scale and strength to the country’s defence technology ecosystem.