Drones

Chennai, 30th January 2025: Garuda Aerospace,India based drone manufacturer and member of the Bharat Drone Association, has announced a significant investment of Rs. 100 crore for the development of Andhra Pradesh as India’s first ‘Drone City’. The announcement came during a strategic meeting with the Minister of Civil Aviation, Rama Mohan Naidu. This project aims to foster drone innovation, research, and development in India, transforming the nation into a global hub for drone technology. During the meeting, Garuda Aerospace’s CEO discussed the company’s alignment with ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp’ and its significance in national development, the company’s ongoing contributions towards ‘Namo Drone Didi’ initiative, that empowers rural women through drone technology. The conversation also discussed, Garuda Aerospace’s rapid expansion across India and global markets demonstrating the compay’s commitment in making India a global drone hub. He shared Garuda Aerospaces strong progress in the agriculture industry and the company’s partnerships with leading global players. “This investment signifies our unwavering commitment to revolutionising the drone industry in India and globally,” said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder & CEO of Garuda Aerospace. “We envision the Drone City as a hub for drone innovation, fostering cutting-edge research, attracting top talent, and propelling India to the forefront of drone technology. This investment aligns perfectly with our vision of expanding our global footprint, pursuing an IPO, and continuing to develop innovative drone solutions that address critical societal challenges.” Garuda Aerospace’s six DGCA Type Certifications covers both drone manufacturing and pilot training, validate the Company’s technical expertise and commitment to regulatory compliance, essential for responsible drone development and deployment.

Davos,January 23, 2025: The Government of Telangana has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JSW UAV Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of JSW Defence,to establish manufacturing facility to make Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in the state. JSW UAV is set to invest approximately Rs.800 crores in the project through a technology arrangement with Shield AI Inc,US-based defence technology company. The MoU was signed in the presence of the Telegana CM , Revant Reddy and Parth Jindal of JSW Group in the presence of senior dignitaries from the state on the side lines of the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos. Speaking on the occasion, Revanth Reddy, CM of Telengana, said, “Hyderabad, and Telengana, was long positioned in the global market as software and pharma leader. With clear vision and diligent efforts, we are now establishing Telengana as a clear leader for investments in manufacturing across sectors, ranging from semiconductor, defence, private space to FMCG. My government’s efforts to position Telengana as a preferred option for the world for its China Plus One strategy has started bearing results.” Parth Jindal of JSW Group said, “This MoU underscores our unwavering commitment to playing a key role in indigenizing defense technology in India. We are deeply grateful to the Government of Telangana, led by the Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, for its guidance and support through industry-friendly policies that make initiatives like this possible.” JSW Defence Pvt Ltd. – a part of the US$ 24 billion JSW Group – has a strategic partnership with Shield AI, Inc, a U.S defence technology company, to indigenize and manufacture Shield AI’s “V-BAT”, a Group 3 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). This collaboration marks a significant step in boosting India’s defence capabilities by bringing in world-class UAS technology to the country.

Delhi,January 22, 2025: Electra.aero a next-gen aerospace company and Hunch Mobility, a technology-driven platform for affordable on-demand air travel, have signed a MoU to deploy Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft. This partnership aims to revolutionize sustainable and quiet regional air travel in India, one of the world’s fastest-growing transportation markets. The MoU was formalized at the India Urban Air Mobility Expo 2025 in Greater Noida, hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as part of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, showcasing the future of innovative mobility solutions in India. The partnership combines the unique capabilities of Electra’s 9-passenger EL9 aircraft, which can take off and land in under 150 feet, with Hunch Mobility (BLADE India’s) advanced software platform, accessible aircraft operator network, and key infrastructure within major urban centers to provide seamless, direct-to-destination air transport to underserved areas beyond large airports — including small regional airports and novel Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) infrastructure, providing air connectivity where it doesn’t exist today. The EL9’s in-flight battery recharging and ultra-quiet operation from spaces as compact as football fields, parking lots, or helicopter pads make it ideally suited for India’s evolving mobility needs. “We are excited to partner with Hunch Mobility to bring our EL9 aircraft to the Indian market,” said Marc Ausman, Vice President, Sales and Support at Electra. “This partnership combines Electra’s innovative aircraft technology with Hunch Mobility’s operational expertise and market presence to deliver cleaner, quieter, and faster transportation options that address India’s pressing mobility challenges.” Amit Dutta, Managing Director, Hunch Mobility, added, “Our partnership with Electra represents a significant step forward in our mission to reduce travel friction and offer cost-effective air transportation alternatives. The EL9 aircraft will enable us to expand our services and provide a seamless transition to electric air mobility for our customers.” He further added, “We are happy and proud to announce this partnership at the CII Urban Air Mobility Expo 2025, a landmark event playing a pivotal role in advancing India’s leadership in urban air mobility. This platform brings together manufacturers, facilitators, and operators to foster collaboration and innovation, shaping a future-ready air mobility ecosystem.” Under the terms of the MoU, Electra and Hunch Mobility will collaboratively explore route networks that take full advantage of the EL9’s short takeoff and landing capabilities, targeting highly congested ground routes. Hunch Mobility will contribute operational insights to optimize the EL9’s performance, maintenance, and passenger experience. The partnership also includes joint marketing initiatives and coordinated advocacy for policies supporting research, development, and infrastructure for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).

Noida, 30th July, 2024: Thales and Garuda Aerospace have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the development of the drone ecosystem in India. This collaboration aims to foster innovation and to advance the development of technological solutions that can enable safe and secure drone operations and help the growth of drone-based applications in India. In addition to its broad expertise in the field of UTM solutions for the seamless management of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flight authorisations, Thales offers a range of radar and sensors for high-performance UAV detection, as well as being experienced in system integration. Garuda Aerospace, known for its expertise in the Indian market, is a leader in UAV manufacturing, and has extensive knowledge of the production of high-tech UAVs and service applications. Established in 2015, Garuda Aerospace is a key player in the Indian drone sector, catering to the diverse needs of the industry. The company focuses on building advanced drone solutions for the armed forces, in collaboration with global giants in the defence and aerospace sectors. It also has a vast fleet of over 2500 drones and 4000 pilots across 400 districts. Thales is recognised around the world for its expertise in aerospace and UAV solutions. From design and development to implementation and maintenance, Thales has built end-to-end solutions for drone integration and the development of advanced UTM systems. The company works closely with civil aviation authorities and air navigation service providers to deliver strategic UTM capabilities, including registration, authorisation and geo-awareness, while ensuring that incremental capabilities, such as aircraft tracking and deconfliction, can be added in the long term. The MoU aims to transform the Indian drone landscape, and will come into effect in August 2024. Ashish Saraf, VP and Country Director, Thales in India, stated: “The government is providing a robust foundation for the drone ecosystem, fostering opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and growth. We are proud to partner with Garuda Aerospace in paving the way for the development of advanced UTM systems in India by leveraging our extensive global experience and expertise in aeronautical solutions. This collaboration aligns well with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) vision, and seeks to support India in realising its ambition to become a major global hub for drones by 2030.” Speaking on the partnership, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder CEO, Garuda Aerospace, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Thales in driving technological innovations for the development of drones and drone-based applications in India. Ever since Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji launched 100 Garuda drones in 100 Villages, we have scaled and cemented market dominance in the precision agri drone segment where 50% of agri drones in India is Garuda’s. Equipped with the largest fleet in India coupled with Thales’ UTM technology and their worldwide experience, Garuda Aerospace will aim to revolutionize the drone sector and play a key role in the transformation of India into a global drone powerhouse.”

MELBOURNE, Fla. 15th July, 2024: Eve Air Mobility ( will be providing an update on several key program milestones at the 45th Farnborough Air Show next week. Coming off its recent announcement of $94M in new equity to support development of its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Eve has continued to attract new equity. Along with existing cash and credit lines, Eve is well positioned as the company continue to build momentum and advance in the development and manufacturing of its eVTOL. Prior to the show beginning, Eve’s CEO, Johann Bordais will be updating the industry on the company’s program development including several key program milestones. In addition to making several announcements at the show, Eve will showcase its eVTOL cabin mock-up visitors to Eve’s display will be able to take a virtual flight on its eVTOL utilizing virtual reality glasses. With the advanced air mobility industry’s largest pre-order book of 2,900 units for its eVTOL, and potential service contracts worth up to $935M, not including Vector – the company’s innovative urban air traffic management software, Eve will provide program updates related to its first full-scale prototype. “For the past several months, Eve has been sharing updates on the progress of our prototype. The Farnborough Airshow is an excellent opportunity to update and show the market that Eve has made significant progress towards creating a safe, sustainable and efficient advanced air mobility industry,” said Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve. “We have matured our eVTOL program, and we believe that we are on the way to successfully building, certifying and delivering the right aircraft for the market.” Eve’s eVTOL design is focused on passenger comfort and safety while also prioritizing the business economics of the operators through optimization of characteristics such as dispatch reliability. It utilizes eight dedicated propellers for vertical flight and fixed wings to fly in cruise mode, with no change in the position of these components during flight. The configuration includes an electric pusher powered by dual electric motors that provide propulsion redundancy, ensuring high performance and safety levels. While offering numerous advantages, including low operation costs and optimized structures and systems, it has been developed to offer efficient thrust with a low sound footprint. Concurrently, Eve continues to develop a comprehensive portfolio of agnostic services and operations solutions to ensure our customers operate efficiently and profitably.

Bangalore, 3rd May 2024: Flying Wedge Defence, operating in the Indian defence and aerospace technology sector, unveiled FWD-200B, India’s first indigenous bomber unmanned aircraft in Bengaluru today. The company projects to reduce India’s reliance on costly bomber unmanned aircrafts imports further boosting the Make in India initiative. The company aims to position India as a global drone manufacturing & technology hub while equipping the nation with the right air defence resources and enhancing national security. Speaking on the occasion, Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder of Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace, highlighted, “For over 15 years, India’s pursuit of combat unmanned aircraft remained a distant dream, despite significant investment and repeated attempts by DRDO with projects like Tapas and Rustom ending in failure. Today, with the launch of the FWD-200B, India not only fulfills this dream but also joins the league of nations with advanced combat aircraft capabilities.” “While the US Predator costs a staggering 250 crores, our indigenous FWD-200B, built with state-of-the-art technology and manufactured in India, slashes the cost to a mere 25 crores. This not only demonstrates our commitment to self-reliance but also positions India as a leader in cost-effective defence solutions”, he added. The Flying Wedge Defence’s manufacturing unit where the FWD-200B was meticulously crafted, is over 12000 sq.ft built on 1.5 acre land and is located at Electronic City. The FWD-200B has a payload capacity of 100 kgs and is classified as a MALE Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (medium-altitude, long-endurance). The Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) consists of optical surveillance payloads and is integrated with missile-like weapons for precision air strikes. While having a max speed of 200 kts/370 kmph, it has an impressive endurance capacity of 12-20 hours. The FWD-200B can carry a maximum take-off weight of 498 Kgs in addition to this, it holds a ground control station (GCS) range of 200 kms. FWD- 200B, a revolutionary bomber UAV claims not only to act as the nation’s eagle eye but also to be the shield for the nation from above.

Everett, WA, U.S.,22 April, 2024: magniX, the company powering the electric aviation revolution has announced that Harbour Air, North America’s largest seaplane airline, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to purchase 50 magni650 electric engines. magniX’s electric propulsion units (EPUs) will be used to electrify Harbour Air’s fleet, beginning with the De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in 2026. The magni650s will also be used for third-party conversions. The agreement is a milestone in electric aviation and a significant next step in the industry-leading partnership between magniX and Harbour Air. In December 2019, the two companies made history when the eBeaver, a Harbour Air De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver retrofitted with a magniX electric engine, became the world’s first fully electric commercial aircraft to take flight. To date, the prototype eBeaver has flown 78 flights in preparation for the certification of the aircraft. Electrifying the Skies magniX is pioneering electric aviation, having powered historic flights by five different aircraft. Alongside the eBeaver, these include Eviation’s all-electric commuter airplane, Alice, and the world’s largest hydrogen-electric aircraft, Universal Hydrogen’s retrofitted De Havilland Dash 8. “Electrifying Harbour Air’s fleet with magniX’s engines sets us on a course to define the future of regional flight,” said Riona Armesmith, Chief Technology Officer of magniX. “The many flights that the eBeaver has now completed with magniX’s technology demonstrate that the electric age of aviation is here and bringing it to the marketplace is growing rapidly closer. As we mark Earth Day, we recognize the urgency of solutions such as this in answering the climate challenge.” “We are excited to accelerate the adoption of electric aviation technology and further our journey towards a sustainable future”, says Bert van der Stege, CEO of Harbour Air. “The agreement with magniX underscores our commitment to revolutionize commercial aviation with electric propulsion and to pave the way for cleaner, quieter, and more efficient air travel.”

Bangalore, 15th April 2024: Bengaluru-based aerospace components manufacturer, JJG Aero, has secured $12 million (Rs 100 crore) in inaugural funding from CX Partners. The funds will be used primarily for increasing its manufacturing capacity at its new facility, further vertical integration and other corporate initiatives. Established in 2008, JJG Aero specializes in manufacturing build-to-print high-precision machined components, with in-house special process finishing capabilities. While the Company is primarily focussed on building its business in commercial aerospace segment, its diverse capabilities are put to use with its customers in automotive and industrial segments. The Company’s prestigious clients include marquee American & European OEMs and Tier-1 vendors. “We have spent the last decade in building best-in-class capabilities, processes, compliance standards, customer relationships and obtaining requisite approvals and certifications, and we are now in the right place to grow rapidly. The aerospace supply chain is facing all-time high demand from aircraft manufacturers, which the legacy vendors in the Western world are struggling to meet. The global geopolitical issues, economic stability and Government support make India ideally placed to benefit from this. With our strengths and value proposition, we see ourselves emerging as a key player in the aerospace ecosystem. India has emerged as an attractive destination for sourcing components and parts by global leaders and we are excited to be selected by so many marquee clients as a strategic growth vendor” said Anuj Jhunjhunwala, CEO, JJG Aero. “We are thrilled to invest in JJG Aero, our first in this segment. JJG Aero has demonstrated remarkable growth, with a CAGR of 35% over the last three years. This investment will enable JJG Aero not only to continue on its growth path through capacity addition but also upgrade quality of earnings by focusing on higher value-added components. Indian businesses have proven ability to provide high quality products and services as an outsourcing partner to their customers. With strong industry tailwinds, we believe that aero-parts and component manufacturing is emerging as one more segment in India’s manufacturing outsourcing story. With its foray into manufacture of aero-engine components, we believe JJG Aero is well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities andfurther solidify its presence in the market.” – Vivek Chhachhi, Managing Partner, CX Partners From simple 2-axis to complex 5-axis machining, JJG Aero offers a wide range of manufacturing services, complemented by over 30 NADCAP-approved special processes, including electroplating, anodizing, paint, and NDT. Moreover, the company provides assembly, testing, and other value-added services to its esteemed client base. JJG Aero has 3 fully integrated manufacturing facilities in the Bommasandra-Jigani area, near Bangalore,in Karnataka, ably run by a team of 700 people. JJG Aero is setting up an additional facility dedicated to the aerospace segment.